How Quinnen Williams compared to other top first-round defenders in 2019

Josh Allen, Nick Bosa, other first-round rookies had slightly better seasons than Quinnen Williams.

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.

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Raiders players the Chargers must game-plan for in Week 16

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lists the Oakland Raiders players the Los Angeles Chargers must game-plan for in Week 16.

The Los Angeles Chargers are preparing for their last game played at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders.

The last time the two teams met was in Week 10. It was a close battle, but ultimately the Raiders came out on top.

With that, there are a few Oakland players that the Chargers must be game-planned for in order to avoid being swept by them.

DE Clelin Ferrell & Maxx Crosby

In their first meeting earlier this season, quarterback Philip Rivers had very little room to breathe, and that’s largely due to the dominance by Ferrell and Crosby who attributed to their five sacks and handful of quarterback hits that night.

Heading into Week 16, the two first-year players have combined for 12 sacks on the season and they’re both eager to bolster up that column on the stat sheet this weekend once more.

With left tackle Russell Okung likely to be a game-time decision, there’s reason to be concerned. If Okung can’t go, Trent Scott or rookie Trey Pipkins will be tasked with protecting quarterback Philip Rivers’ blindside.

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Jon Gruden: Raiders DE Clelin Ferrell has potential to reel in more QB sacks

The Raiders drafted DE Clelin Ferrell No. 4 overall, and though he hasn’t made a huge impact, coach Jon Gruden sees untapped potential.

Though Clelin Ferrell has a signature sack celebration, it’s been easy to miss during his rookie campaign. The Raiders’ No. 4 overall draft pick hasn’t made the impact expected from such a high selection.

The defensive end from Clemson notched 2.5 sacks Week 10 against the Chargers and performed his custom move, which appeared to be a simulated fishing rod casting, followed by a quick hook and reel. But he’s been largely shut out otherwise, with just 3.5 QB sacks to his credit.

General manager Mike Mayock and coach Jon Gruden expected Ferrell to possess more substance than flash, however. If the Raiders wanted a pass-rush specialist, they could have drafted DE Josh Allen, the highly-touted impact player from the University of Kentucky.

The Jaguars, who come to Oakland this Sunday, did pull the trigger on Allen with the No. 7 choice, and Allen has rewarded them by recording nine sacks thus far.

Gruden talked about Ferrell’s initial campaign earlier this week, noting he suffered from an illness that caused him to lose weight and miss the Raiders’ Week 5 game against the Bears and he’s still regaining strength. The coach also reiterated what kind of player Ferrell is.

“He’s not a specialized pass rusher that comes in 30 snaps a game and cuts it loose. A lot of the production that we’ve got from Ferrell is production that no one really knows about,” Gruden said, though Ferrell played just 29 snaps last week against the Titans. “But he’s had some really good moments. He’s had some tough snaps and some tough, tough moments, but he’s hanging in there and I’m proud of him.”

Indeed, Ferrell struggled early this year in all situations, not just rushing the passer. His play against the run has improved lately, however. Still, Gruden knows his defense needs more QB pressure and foresees more signature moves from Ferrell in the future.

“That’s something he’s got to get going on. He’s got 3.5 or 4 sacks I think, but we think he’s got the potential to get more than that,” Gruden said, after acknowledging that Ferrell himself knows he’s more of a well-rounded player than a one-trick pony.

With the Raiders defense reeling, Oakland needs Ferrell to expand his repertoire if they’re to finish the season strong, starting this Sunday with what will, in all likelihood, be the Raiders’ last game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

And with Allen and his flashy numbers in town, Ferrell has ample motivation to show the entire NFL that Mayock made the correct choice at No. 4. He’s got the signature move. Now, all he needs to do is get to the QB and take him down.

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