Tag: quinnen williams

New York Jets All-Pro LB Quincy Williams is destined for greatness

New York Jets LB Quincy Williams ranked an impressive No. 5 in solo tackles with 95 through 17 games played last season.

New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams ranked an impressive No. 5 in solo tackles totaling 95 through 17 games played last season. 

Williams has shown versatility in defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich’s system, operating as a run-stuffer, coverage guy, and pass-rusher.

The Jets finished near the bottom of the NFL in time of possession last season (No. 25), meaning Williams was forced to play a lot of snaps. 2023 was a test of Williams’ mental and physical endurance, yet he displayed a consistent tenacity every week.


The leadership of Jets head coach Robert Saleh and teammate linebacker C.J Mosley are solid points of reference for Williams’ and his increased intuitiveness. Williams’ instincts have been impactful versus the run, an asset to a Jets’ defense primed for a big season in 2024.

As Williams and the Jets’ defense condition under Ulbrich during training camp, they’ll get a fair share of quality reps against quarterback Aaron Rodgers, running back Breece Hall, and emerging rookie running back Braelon Allen.

Panthers’ Derrick Brown ranked as 7th-best DT by NFL execs, coaches, scouts

Are there six defensive tackles better than Carolina’s Derrick Brown?

Derrick Brown now has another number to add alongside his name.

ESPN senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler polled league executives, coaches and scouts in compiling a list of the game’s top 10 defensive tackles. Brown, who found a spot on the honorable mention section last summer, reps the Carolina Panthers at No. 7.

Fowler writes:

Brown was a menace in the middle for the Panthers, leading the league with a 47% run stop win rate.

While the sack production isn’t there — Brown has eight sacks in four years — the disruption very much is. Carolina decided to build the defense around him instead of pass-rusher Brian Burns, who was traded to the Giants

“You feel him more than you see the sack numbers,” a veteran NFL scout said of Brown. “When you play him and watch him, he’s really good. Wouldn’t surprise me if he has more sacks in the future. Carolina is always losing in games, so teams don’t throw the ball as much on them late.”

Brown set a single-season NFL record for defensive linemen in 2023, amassing 103 tackles. His historic campaign led to his first Pro Bowl selection, as he replaced the now-retired and future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald on the NFC squad.

That season also led to a four-year, $96 million extension for Brown—tying him with New York’s Quinnen Williams as the fourth-highest paid player at the position. Williams was amongst the six players who finished higher than Brown, who polled as high as No. 2 and as low as No. 10, on Fowler’s list.

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No surprise here as Quinnen Williams makes ESPN’s list of top defensive tackles

In an ESPN survey of NFL executives, Quinnen Williams of the New York Jets is one of the league’s top defensive tackles. #Jets #NYJ

Quinnen Williams is among the best defensive tackles in the league, with the New York Jets star making a move in a recent poll ranking from ESPN.

Chris Jones was ranked atop the ranking with Williams checking in at second on the list. Following a strong season with the Jets, Williams makes the move up from fourth in last year’s ranking.

The results come via a poll of 80 league executives and scouts conducted by ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler.

Set to enter his sixth season in the NFL, Williams had 62 total tackles and 5.5 sacks for the Jets in 2024.

 

The poll results come after Monday’s release by ESPN of the top running backs in the NFL where Jets star Breece Hall was also second in the league.

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Williams was a first-round pick of the Jets in the 2019 NFL draft. He was an All-Pro selection in 2022 and has twice been named to the Pro Bowl.

Quinnen Williams working to be ‘Swiss Army Knife’ as pass-rusher

Quinnen Williams working to be ‘Swiss Army Knife’ as pass-rusher

Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams has already established himself as one of the best all-around players among interior defensive linemen. Williams has been named to the Pro Bowl each of the last two seasons and was an All-Pro in 2022 after recording 12 sacks.

Williams posted 5.5 sacks in 2023, fourth on the team behind Bryce Huff (10), Jermaine Johnson (7.5) and Quinton Jefferson (6). Even with his production over the years, Williams is always looking to improve his craft, particularly when it comes to rushing the passer.

“My main area of focus has just been getting a bigger bag when it comes down to pass rushing,” Williams said, via the team’s official website. “I feel like I do some things good in pass rush but just getting a bigger bag and more tools that I can use on Sundays. That was really my main goal. I’ve been working on right side pass rushing and left side pass rushing so that I can be like a Swiss Army Knife.”

The Jets’ defensive line is already versatile with movable pieces that can play inside and outside and rush the passer. It’s unknown as of yet if Williams will be able to line up outside of his typical 2i-technique (inside shade of the guard) but anything is possible with Williams.

Williams also shared how he tried to model his game after one of the greats at the position, the recently-retired former Rams defensive tackle and future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald.

“I was very happy for him, he did it his way,” Williams said. “On the field and off the field he was a great person, a great leader and a phenomenal person to watch when it comes down to learning the tools. He just set the example for every single defensive tackle when it comes down to the blueprint of how to be a great player. Especially in that position, how to change games and how to affect games in that position.”

Williams still having room to grow is a scary thought for opposing offensive lines. That could also open things up for other defensive linemen like Javon Kinlaw, Solomon Thomas and Leki Fotu. Good luck to the other teams trying to block Williams, starting with the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1.

Quinnen Williams couldn’t believe it’s been 20 years for Aaron Rodgers in NFL

Believe it, Quinnen Williams, Aaron Rodgers has been in the league 20 years now, the same number of years that Braelon Allen has been alive.

20 years is a long time in any profession. It feels like an eternity in the NFL. It’s also quite an accomplishment to last so long in a league as tough and sometimes cutthroat as the NFL. Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers will join that club this season as 2024 will be the 20th for the four-time MVP.

One player that was stunned to learn that stat? Jets All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.

“Twenty years?” Williams said, via the Associated Press. “I didn’t know that. Aaron’s 20 years in the NFL? Mannn.”

Rodgers’ 20th season will be his second with the Jets after 18 years with the Green Bay Packers, a run that included a win in Super Bowl XLV over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Williams was also amazed to find out that the number of years Rodgers has been in the league is the same as the number of years rookie running back Braelon Allen is alive. The Jets’ fourth-round pick is still only 20 years old and doesn’t turn 21 until January. Williams, by the way, is 26.

“So he’s been in the NFL as long as he’s been alive!” Williams said. “That’s crazy, huh? I’ve got to joke with (Rodgers) about that.”

Coming off his Achilles injury, Rodgers has been fully participating in OTAs this spring. His much-anticipated return to regular-season game action comes Monday, September 9 against the San Francisco 49ers.

WATCH: Braelon Allen’s age is at the center of another viral moment, this with Jets QB Aaron Rodgers

WATCH: Braelon Allen’s age is at the center of another viral moment, this with Aaron Rodgers

Former Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen’s age is in the news again. For once, it isn’t about him being the Badgers’ leading rusher and best offensive player as a 17-year-old freshman.

This time, it has to do with his New York Jets teammate Aaron Rodgers. Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams was meeting with the media on Wednesday and realized that Rodgers was entering the 20th year of his NFL career (2005-2024).

Related: Which Big Ten football team has the toughest 2024 schedule?

His response: “20 years..Aaron [Rodgers] has done 20 years in the NFL?” Williams remarked. Ain’t our running back, the number 0, 20 years old? So [Rodgers] has been in the NFL longer than he’s been alive? That’s crazy.”

As mentioned, number 0 on the Jets is former Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen.

“I have to joke with him about that,” Williams concluded — likely talking about Rodgers and his veteran age.

Allen was selected by the Jets No. 134 overall in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft. He makes the leap to the professional level after three exceptional years with the Badgers, seasons which included 3,494 yards and 35 touchdowns. Allen’s college career ended with him at No. 9 on Wisconsin’s all-time rushing yards leaderboard.

He joins a Jets backfield led by former Iowa State running back Breece Hall. Allen should find an immediate role in short-yardage situations and as Hall’s primary backup.

And yes, he will be playing with a 40-year-old quarterback who has been in the NFL since the year after Allen was born.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

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Ranking the top 30 interior DL in the league after the 2024 NFL draft

With Aaron Donald out of the picture, who will become the new king at this position?

After 10 years of dominating the Seattle Seahawks and just about everybody else in the NFL, the best interior defensive lineman in the league has mercifully hung up his spurs and called it a career. Having won three Defensive Player of the Year awards, making 10 Pro Bowl teams and earning eight All-Pro honors, Aaron Donald went out on top – leading all interior linemen in tackles for a loss (16) last season.

With Aaron Donald out of the picture, who will become the new king of the iDL? Let’s find out. Here’s how we rank the top 30 interior defensive linemen in the NFL going into the 2024 season, beginning with a few rookies who will take the league by storm once they get up to speed.

7 takeaways from the Seahawks’ open OTAs practice on Wednesday

Wenonah HS in Alabama retires No. 50 jersey of Jets star Quinnen Williams

Jets star Quinnen Williams received a huge honor from his Alabama high school

Quinnen Williams has been a star on many levels. It started in high school, at Wenonah in Birmingham, Alabama.

The school honored the defensive lineman over the weekend by retiring his No. 50 jersey.

“It’s just humbling for me man,” Williams said. “These guys tell me how much I inspire them. It humbles me a lot to let me know that I need to continue to do the right things on the field and off the field and continue to do my best and never let up because I got guys who are looking up to me.”

Per Jets Wire:

In four years at Wenonah, Williams played 40 games and totaled 186 tackles (92 solo, 94 assisted) with 34.5 tackles for a loss and 19.5 sacks. He even grabbed an interception and returned it 51 yards for a touchdown as a senior.

Quinnen Williams gets his high school jersey retired

Quinnen Williams gets his high school jersey retired

Jets star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams can add another notch to his resume: having his high-school number retired.

On Saturday night, Williams returned to his alma mater, Wenonah High School in Birmingham, Alabama. The school honored Williams by naming Saturday “Quinnen Williams Day” and had his jersey retired by the school. Williams wore No. 50 at Wenonah.

“It’s just humbling for me man,” Williams said, via ABC 33/40 in Birmingham. “These guys tell me how much I inspire them. It humbles me a lot to let me know that I need to continue to do the right things on the field and off the field and continue to do my best and never let up because I got guys who are looking up to me.”

In four years at Wenonah, Williams played 40 games and totaled 186 tackles (92 solo, 94 assisted) with 34.5 tackles for a loss and 19.5 sacks. He even grabbed an interception and returned it 51 yards for a touchdown as a senior.

Brian Baldinger says Jets have best defensive line, could go eight deep

Brian Baldinger says Jets have best defensive line, could go eight deep

Without question, the New York Jets have one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. One analyst is going all the way with how he would rank the unit.

NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger believes the Jets do in fact have the best defensive line in the league. He made that comment on a recent appearance on the Green Light podcast with Chris Long. He also is excited to see how deep the Jets can get with the group.

“I think they’re going to be eight deep, and I think they are going to play with the lead, something that they never did last year.”

The Jets could have a rotation this season featuring Quinnen Williams, Javon Kinlaw, Haason Reddick, Jermaine Johnson, Micheal Clemons, Will McDonald, Leki Fotu and Solomon Thomas. With how the Jets like to rotate the defensive front, all eight should have plenty of chances to make an impact this season.

“I think Jermaine’s on a good trajectory. I think Haason’s a big upgrade,” Baldinger said.

Even with losing Bryce Huff (10 sacks in 2023), the Jets brought in Reddick who has double-digit sacks in four straight seasons. There is a lot of potential with this group this season for the Jets. And if anyone knows about trench play, it’s Baldinger.