:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60098349/usa_today_10702800.0.jpg)
Our roster countdown now moves to the best player on the roster, Leonard Williams.
Name: Leonard Williams
Number: 92
Year with Jets: 4th
Projected Role: Star defensive lineman
His 2017: Coming off a Pro Bowl second NFL season, Williams’ 2017 looks unspectacular if you focus on basic stats, 47 tackles and 2 sacks. An interior type defensive lineman’s impact doesn’t always show up in the stats, however. The job is predicated to a large degree on creating disruption, which helps others make plays. Anecdotally, Williams fared quite well by this measure. If you look at certain in-depth statistics, he also comes out looking quite good.
Some other numbers on this:
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) April 17, 2018
PFF credited Leonard Williams with 17 QB hits in 2017, more than the Rams' Aaron Donald (15), Raiders' Khalil Mack (13) and Broncos' Von Miller (12).
Williams ranked 1st among 3-4 DEs, and 2nd when looping in 3-4 outside OLBs and 4-3 DEs. https://t.co/InxIsFEeRB
2018 will be a success if: Williams takes the next step. I think he has been a successful Draft pick to this point. He is a high end starter. With that said, his ceiling at the time he was drafted was game-changing interior linemen in the mold of a Donald. I don’t think he’s quite there yet. If the Jets want to contend, they are going to need some of their young talent to grow to a superstar level.
With all of the expectations around Williams, it is easy to forget that Wednesday is his 24th birthday. It is kind of amazing how good he has been relative to his age. There still is room to grow here.
Odds of making the roster: Williams is the best player on the team. He is a Lock (>99%).