Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley is high on rookie defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
Williams was the No. 3 pick in this year’s draft out of Alabama and may have been the best overall player in the draft. Mosley, a fellow Crimson Tide product, watched a lot of Williams last season while he was at Alabama and was quite impressed with what he saw.
“We’re excited to have him,” Mosley said at the Jets’ OTAs. “He has a high motor, and from what we’ve seen on film, he’s definitely a player that could disrupt the passing game and the run game.”
The Jets have a crowded defensive line with Williams, Leonard Williams, Henry Anderson, Jachai Polite and Steve McLendon. There will a lot of different rotations with these guys, but Mosley thinks Williams will thrive as a nose tackle.
“Just him lining up over the center, just him disrupting the center will affect the snap,” Mosley said. “Him putting pressure up the middle will let the pass rushers get over the top and make plays and, especially with our coverage, it gives us time to drop when we play man. He’s not the tallest guy. Once he gets in that middle, put a hand up — tips and overthrows always lead to interceptions.”
The 21-year-old defensive tackle was an all-around player in college. He got into the backfield on a run or a pass — it didn’t matter. Last season, Williams had 71 total tackles (19.5 for loss), eight sacks and a pass defensed.
The Jets haven’t had a productive nose tackle since Damon Harrison was with the team. Williams could be the missing piece on a defensive line that has struggled to make plays in recent years.
