With The First Pick
Fansided

Leonard Williams to be Counted on in 2016

By Carl Cockerham

Oct 4, 2015; London, United Kingdom; New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) tries to get past Miami Dolphins left guard Dallas Thomas (63) in Game 12 of the NFL International Series at Wembley Stadium.The Jets defeated the Dolphins 27-14. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; London, United Kingdom; New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) tries to get past Miami Dolphins left guard Dallas Thomas (63) in Game 12 of the NFL International Series at Wembley Stadium.The Jets defeated the Dolphins 27-14. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Jets went into the 2015 NFL Draft with a strong on the d-line but still picked DE Leonard Williams at No 6 overall. He was the best player available at the time so no one criticized the move.  And when you look at everything that has happened since, it was a great move.

Fellow DE Sheldon Richardson was suspended four games to start the 2015 season. That allowed Williams to plug right in at his defensive end spot with Muhammad Wilkerson on the other side. The Jets didn’t miss a beat on defense that year and barely missed the playoffs at 10-6.

Now, in 2016, Williams is the only defensive lineman the Jets can truly count on. In March, nose tackle Damon Harrison got some serious cash to switch locker rooms and play of the Giants. Wilkerson now looks like he might sit 2016 out because he doesn’t have the contract he wants.

And Richardson is suspended for the team’s Week 1 game against the Cincinnati Bengals for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Richardson won’t practice during the first week of the season but will be there for training camp and the preseason.

Richardson pled guilty to resisting arrest in January in connection with an arrest last summer for driving 143 miles an hour while evading police with a 12-year-old in the car. He didn’t catch any child endangerment or drug related charges even though police said they smelled marijuana.

Those are not the actions of a man that you can count on for anything. So with Wilkerson wanting his money while the Jets already have salary cap problems, Williams is all the Jets know they have.

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