A week from today, the Jets will have the No. 3 pick heading into Nashville for the 2019 NFL Draft. And GM Mike Maccagnan is expected to take one of the top defensive playmakers in the draft -- if he doesn't trade down of course.
Players like Josh Allen and Nick Bosa are at the top of the pack among prospects. There is also Quinnen Williams, a defensive tackle out of Alabama, that the Jets could consider at 3.
Jets DE Leonard Williams has seen Williams in action during his offseason training in California, and admitted the kid is "a freak."
"I actually have already seen Quinnen Williams during training," Williams told newyorkjets.com's Ethan Greenberg. "We haven't been working out in the same group or anything like that, he's been working out with the Combine guys. I've been seeing him and he seems like a good guy. I'm excited about whoever we bring."
Quinnen bullied his way through SEC competition with the Crimson Tide, and at 6-foot-3, 303 pounds, NFL scouts are licking their chops at that raw power which would translate well in the NFL. The Jets certainly need a reinforced pass rush, and both Williams could work well on Gregg Williams' defensive line.
If the Jets trade down, Quinnen likely won't be on the board by then. The same could go for Allen, who Jets LB Avery Williamson has been impressed by.
"He's a really good player," Williamson said. "I'm excited to see where he lands. I've talked to Gregg about him and he knows I like him. We'll see what's going to happen, man. They ultimately control who they pick, but I wanted to throw in what I thought about him. He's a good dude, a hard worker. He's the type of guy that's not going to be complacent and he's not going to settle for mediocrity."
Williamson is connected with Allen through their college of choice in Kentucky. Williamson became familiar with the man that totaled 31.5 sacks and 220 tackles through his four years with the Wildcats, and he has to admit he would like to see that production in a green and white jersey next to him next season.
"I've been around him for a long time and I know what type of guy he is," Williamson said. "He's a very humble kid and he wants to be great. I'm super excited to see where he lands and hopefully it's with us."
At the end of the day, Maccagnan will be the one to make the call. But these Jets would love to see either of these playmakers go to war with them next season.