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NFL Draft Grades: New York Jets select Leonard Williams

By Luke Dahlgren

Nov 22, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive end Leonard Williams (94) recovers a fumble by UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) during the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive end Leonard Williams (94) recovers a fumble by UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) during the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Jets went with the best available player in the NFL Draft with the No. 6 overall pick and took Leonard Williams. 

There is a chance that the Jets will be losing Muhammad Wilkerson, so picking up Leonard Williams seemed ideal. Even so, the team has holes all across the board. At quarterback, Geno Smith has thus far been a failure (except against teams that he had no business succeeding against), while the team lacked skilled offensive weapons.

However, on defense, the Jets have holes in particular at edge rusher and at middle linebacker. While linebacker is not a smart move right now high in the first round, they had plenty of options in terms of edge rusher. Dante Fowler was already off of the board, but Clemson’s Vic Beasley and Kentucky’s Bud Dupree were also possible picks for the Jets to go with.

But Williams is the best player available in the draft, and the Jets went with the sure thing.

Williams is an explosive player lining up as either a defensive tackle or defensive end. He is strong as a bull rusher, but is also nimble enough to work laterally along the line. He would fit well as a bull rushing defensive end that locks up offensive tackles, or as a piercing defensive tackle who collapses the pocket from the inside out. He was productive in college with USC, but at the same time has great upside. This, along with Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper, is the safest pick in the top of the draft.

The question is whether or not this is a need for the Jets. Both Wilkerson and Muhammad Wilkerson are the best players on the Jets, but Williams is versatile enough to find a way to fit with the Jets.

Any team that selected Williams would likely get this grade, but this is especially sweet considering that he fell to them with the sixth pick.

Grade: A+

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