There was a lot of intrigue surrounding the Jets’ third overall pick in the 2019 draft.
With Kyler Murray and Nick Bosa poised to go Nos. 1 and 2 (which they did) the Jets had a lot of options. There were holes along the defensive line, offensive line, pass rusher and secondary. New York ended up taking Alabama defensive lineman Quinnen Williams with thepick, who many believed was either the second- or third-best player in the draft to begin with.
Seventeen defensive players were taken in the first round of the draft. Williams wasn’t the worst rookie of the bunch, but he certainly wasn’t the best. He didn’t play terribly during his rookie season, but his production clearly didn’t match the expectations that came with his draft selection. He also battled injuries on a crowded defensive line. But once the Jets traded Leonard Williams, Quinnen seemed to come a little more into his own as the season progressed.
Here’s how he and six other defensive rookies fared in 2019.