Rich Cimini of ESPN hears the Jets will consider the possibility of trading DL Leonard Williams for a second-round pick or better this offseason.
According to Cimini, it’s possible Williams’ future with the Jets could emerge as a storyline around the scouting combine in February.
Cimini mentions that the Jets should consider placing Williams on the trading block this offseason, considering that he’s set to earn $14.2 million in 2019 and his production hasn’t lived up to that price tag.
Beyond that, Cimini thinks it makes sense for the Jets to be proactive and either extend his contract or trade him. Otherwise, they could risk losing Williams for nothing or get stuck overpaying via the franchise tag.
Williams, 24, is a former first-round pick of the Jets back in 2015. He was in the final year of a four-year, $18.6 million rookie contract and is set to earn a base salary of $2,975,574 in 2018 when the Jets picked up his fifth-year option this past April.
Williams will make a base salary of $14.2 million for the 2019 season before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2020.
According to OverTheCap.com, trading will free up $14.2 million of available cap space while creating no dead money.
In 2018, Williams appeared in all 16 games for the Jets and recorded 42 tackles, five sacks, and two pass defenses.
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The Jets would be foolish to let go of Williams and he is both an excellent player and high character guy. Usually his detractors point to his lower number of sacks when saying he is not elite. But these people don’t appear to be watching the games closely. This guy gets doubled on almost every play.
Put a legitimate pass rusher on the other side of him (where opposing teams cant double as much) and watch his sacks go up. Besides, how many elite pass rushers can play the run as stout as Williams? Maybe Aaron Donald and thats it.
Williams is going nowhere, but on vacation this offseason. The Jets will have about $100M in cap space for 2019 and resigning Williams will be a top priority. Depending on the new HC hire and which defensive scheme they go to, either the current 3-4 or a new 4-3, the Jets will load up on defense especially with the 3rd pick in 2019. Leonard Williams paired with ‘Bamas Quennon Williams or UHs Ed Oliver would be the start of a new Gang Green Era.
The one deal the Jets should really focus on, is the Trumaine Johnson deal. Johnson needs to prove he’s worth that contract the Jets gave him. The Jets should pickup a CB or two via the draft and/or free agency in order to keep Johnson on his top game in 2019 and beyond.
Personally. The Jets should trade down, maybe ask Chuckie and the Raiders if they want #3 for the Raiders last two 1st rounders #24 and possibly #25 and then some, maybe a 2nd rounder as well. Their is loads of top notch defensive talent in the 2019 Draft. The Jets are in a real good spot for the future. They have their QB, the 3rd pick and $100M to spend.
You must be out ‘cho god damn mind to think that we’ll pay 2 1st’s, a 2nd, and possibly more to get someone hasn’t even proven themselves since being drafted.
that cant be right unless the jets are going to pick up DE Nick Bosa, DE Mack, or DT Aaron Donald. just look how anemic the jets pass rush was after DE William’s ejection vs the packers as to how the jets would look when he’s no longer on the team.