New York Jets select Leonard Williams No. 6 in 2015 NFL draft

The New York Jets take Leonard Williams with the sixth pick in the 2015 NFL draft.

Chris Burke | Apr 22, 2015

New York Jets select Leonard Williams No. 6 in 2015 NFL draft /

With Muhammed Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson already in tow, the New York Jets did not enter Thursday's first round with much of a pressing need along their defensive line. But the top five teams passing on USC DT Leonard Williams quickly changed the plans. Williams, who was ranked No. 1 in the SI 64 prospect breakdowns, adds even more punch to what now may be the most formidable D-line in the league.

He'll instantly be able to step in and punish offenses against the run, thanks to an ability to convert his 6'5", 302-pound frame into a quick, powerful punch off the line. If there was a knock on his game, it was as a pass-rusher—he is raw there, to say the least. Williams has the natural athleticism to improve in time, though. Until then, the Jets can use him as yet another run-stuffing presence on early downs.

• 2015 NFL draft tracker: Pick-by-pick grades and scouting reports

Strengths: Plays at an almost-unfair speed given his size. Williams can get off the ball and push the pocket in a straight line, but also can slide and stunt with the quickness of a true defensive end. As such, USC shifted him around its line throughout his career there, which no doubt will be the strategy for any team drafting him as well. Because of his power at the point of attack, is very difficult to move on run plays. Scheming away from him doesn’t necessarily work either because of his versatility and lateral footwork. If he gets his hands into a blocker early, it’s all but over; Williams leaves his opponents little margin for error. Was a force in college, despite playing at less than 100 percent much of the time.

Weaknesses: It’s odd to hear about a DT who averaged seven sacks per college season, but there are questions about Williams’s ability to translate his pass-rushing prowess to the pros. Some of that relates back to technique. When Williams fails to make the first move, he can open himself up to give blockers an easy shot at his chest. Still must continue developing his counter moves (not uncommon for an incoming rookie linemen). Until he cleans up his game, thereby becoming more consistent, the flashes of dominance will run a little hot and cold. Are any of the injury issues, in particular those related to his labrum tears, of a long-term nature? Nothing in there should chase a team away from taking him in the top five, yet Jadeveon Clowney’s lost rookie season will be in the back of GMs’ minds.

Player Comparison: Gerald McCoy

Grade: A

GALLERY: SCENES FROM THE NFL DRAFT

2015 NFL Draft in Pictures

The stage prior to the start of the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Don Juan Moore/Characterlines for Sports Illustrated

Jameis Winston takes the call from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who made him the first pick.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans react after their team drafted former Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston with the first overall pick during the NFL draft party in Tampa, Fla.

Jameis Winston posed for SI in his new team's jersey after he was taken No. 1.

Marcus Mariota at his draft party in Honolulu.

Washington defensive lineman Danny Shelton picks up NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as he celebrates after being selected by the Cleveland Browns as the 12th pick.

Fans cheer after Kevin White of the West Virginia Mountaineers was picked seventh by the Chicago Bears.

Bears fans cheer Chicago's selection of Kevin White of West Virginia Mountaineers.

Dante Fowler with commissioner Roger Goodell after being drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Stanford offensive lineman Andrus Peat, right, talks to Deion Sanders after being selected by the New Orleans Saints as the 13th pick in the first round.

Green Bay Packers fans cheer during the first round of the draft.

A look at some of the NFL team representatives at the draft.

Kentucky linebacker Bud Dupree celebrates after being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers as the 22nd pick in the first round.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans Keith Kunzig and David Miller are excited to have traveled from Florida to be at the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Shane Ray checks out his threads.

Leonard Williams is interviewed outside the draft venue before being taken by the New York Jets.

Jameis Winston waiting for the call.

The scene inside the Jameis Winston draft gathering.

X159534_TK1_174.w.JPG — Kent Nishimura for SI

Marcus Mariotta in Hawaii before the first round began.

img_54cc-3ada.w.JPG — Todd Rosenberg for SI

Two Patriots fans in Chicago.

Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly arriving at the NFL Draft.

img_c019-5024.w.JPG — Todd Rosenberg for SI

Chicago mounted police before the first round commenced.

img_3bf6-3442.w.JPG — Todd Rosenberg for SI

Dante Fowler's shoes on draft night.

Chicago welcomed the NFL Draft with open arms.

The view from outside Roosevelt University Auditorium Theatre.

NFL prospect Trae Waynes of Michigan State talks to pediatric patient Alec Cabacungan while doing a mock interview during the NFL PLAY 60 activities at Shriners Hospital for Children on Thursday, April 30 in Chicago.

Published Apr 22, 2015

CHRIS BURKE

Chris Burke covers the NFL for Sports Illustrated and is SI.com’s lead NFL draft expert. He joined SI in 2011 and lives in Ann Arbor, Mich.