http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-6/NFLcom-Williams-a-DROY-Candidate/cd123ca5-e830-469b-84e1-57a35eb636aa?campaign=tw
Sheldon Richardson earned his DROY moniker. After all, Richardson started 15 games his first pro campaign and amassed 101 tackles and 3.5 sacks before being named Defensive Rookie of the Year. But Richardson, who was voted Curtis Martin Team MVP by his teammates after leading the Green & White with 8 sacks and 84 tackles on his way to a Pro Bowl appearance in January, is a grizzly veteran now who can drop the nickname forever.
Chase Goodbread, a College Football 24/7 writer, believes another young Jets defensive lineman – Leonard Williams - has the potential to pick up the same rookie hardware.
Who could argue with the most-talented and pro-ready player in the entire draft as an ROY candidate? The addition of Williams to a Jets defensive line that already includes Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson is nothing short of fearsome. And the presence of the veterans will go a long way toward keeping Williams in the one-on-one situations that he dominated routinely at the college level. The last two defensive ROYs have been defensive linemen, including Richardson in 2013 -- why not another Jet at the same position?
Since the award first came into existence in 1967, the Jets have had more DROYs than any team in the league with four: DL Sheldon Richardson (2014), LB Jonathan Vilma (2004), LB Hugh Douglas (1999) and CB Erik McMillan (1988).
Williams, who was selected No. 6 overall in Round 1, looked the part during rookie minicamp. But he will be challenged more over the next few weeks during the Jets OTA sessions.
“He’s explosive, he’s powerful, he’s smart,” said head coach Todd Bowles of Williams. “The one thing I saw is he has good eyes. He can hit and lock out and see what’s going on and kind of still play with his feet light. But it’s early on day one and that’s one of the small things I’ve seen.”
Sheldon Richardson earned his DROY moniker. After all, Richardson started 15 games his first pro campaign and amassed 101 tackles and 3.5 sacks before being named Defensive Rookie of the Year. But Richardson, who was voted Curtis Martin Team MVP by his teammates after leading the Green & White with 8 sacks and 84 tackles on his way to a Pro Bowl appearance in January, is a grizzly veteran now who can drop the nickname forever.
Chase Goodbread, a College Football 24/7 writer, believes another young Jets defensive lineman – Leonard Williams - has the potential to pick up the same rookie hardware.
Who could argue with the most-talented and pro-ready player in the entire draft as an ROY candidate? The addition of Williams to a Jets defensive line that already includes Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson is nothing short of fearsome. And the presence of the veterans will go a long way toward keeping Williams in the one-on-one situations that he dominated routinely at the college level. The last two defensive ROYs have been defensive linemen, including Richardson in 2013 -- why not another Jet at the same position?
Since the award first came into existence in 1967, the Jets have had more DROYs than any team in the league with four: DL Sheldon Richardson (2014), LB Jonathan Vilma (2004), LB Hugh Douglas (1999) and CB Erik McMillan (1988).
Williams, who was selected No. 6 overall in Round 1, looked the part during rookie minicamp. But he will be challenged more over the next few weeks during the Jets OTA sessions.
“He’s explosive, he’s powerful, he’s smart,” said head coach Todd Bowles of Williams. “The one thing I saw is he has good eyes. He can hit and lock out and see what’s going on and kind of still play with his feet light. But it’s early on day one and that’s one of the small things I’ve seen.”