How is Quincy Williams not on this list?
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler released his top 10 linebacker rankings, the results of which were generated by surveying nearly 80 league executives, scouts, and coaches.
New York Jets linebackers C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams did not make the top 10, but both earned honorable mentions.
An AFC scout told Fowler the following about Mosley: “Field general, loves to be coached and absorb as much information as possible, has great instincts and smarts. Speed has declined. Struggled a bit down the stretch.”
The Jets signed Mosley in 2019 to a five-year, $85 million deal. This offseason, the Jets signed Mosley to a new contract worth two years at $17.25 million.
A veteran NFL defensive coach told Fowler the following about Williams: “Explosive hitter that brings the attacks and high effort/mentality to the Jets defense.”
Williams is arguably one of Joe Douglas’s best finds. The Jets claimed Williams off waivers from the Jaguars in 2021. Williams had a solid first two seasons with the Jets, prompting management to ink the linebacker to a three-year $18 million extension last offseason. He broke out in his third season, earning first-team All-Pro honors.
Is this a fair ranking for Mosley?
I think an honorable mention is a generous ranking for Mosley, given his production from last season. While Mosley was still a solid player, he started showing signs of decline. Mosley allowed 570 yards into his coverage, the seventh-most among linebackers.
Is this a fair ranking for Williams?
Some Jets fans might be rolling their eyes that Williams was not recognized in the top 10. And I am right there with those fans.
Williams’s dominance in 2023 was undeniable. He led all players with 80 defensive stops and was also first among linebackers with eight pass breakups.
Regardless of what the ESPN poll says, the Jets have one of the most talented linebacker duos in all of football.
