Post-breakout accolades continue to roll in for Quinnen Williams, with the NY Jets’ 2019 first-round pick now earning praise from CBS.
With due respect to The Offspring, these kids are more than all right.
New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams was named to CBS’ All Under 25 Defensive Team, serving as an interior lineman alongside Jeffery Simmons of Tennessee. It brings about yet another offseason accolade for Williams, who burst onto the scene with a 55-tackle, seven-sack showing in his sophomore campaign despite missing three games.
Team curator Tyler Sullivan notes that Williams, the third overall pick of the 2019 draft, was one of the brightest silver linings of the Jets’ woebegone 2020 season, if not the brightest.
“The former No. 3 overall pick has blossomed into an anchor inside New York’s defensive line and is why the front seven has been an area of strength for them even during a 2-14 campaign in 2020,” Sullivan writes.
“He took a noticeable jump in production last season where he earned career marks across the board. In 13 games played, he totaled seven sacks, 55 tackles (10 for a loss), and two forced fumbles.”
Sullivan continues, “That is the type of player the Jets were hoping to acquire when they selected him inside the top-five out of Alabama in 2019 and, so long as he continues on this trajectory, he’ll be considered one of the best players at his position in the entire NFL and not just in this age bracket.”
After dealing with injuries and inconsistency in his rookie campaign, Williams burst onto the scene with a much better sophomore showing. Williams was the only AFC East nominee on Sullivan’s premier Under 25 list, which was headlined by Chase Young and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Though Williams has spent part of this offseason dealing with a foot injury sustained during on-field workouts at the Jets facility, many expect his surge to continue with fellow pressure master Carl Lawson brought in from Cincinnati. Williams previously appeared on Around the NFL’s similar list released in June.
Elsewhere on CBS, Mekhi Becton earned a second-team nomination on the offensive version compiled by Jordan Dajani.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
