Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams made a huge leap between his first and second seasons. Now, he is ready to take another leap in his third year.
Williams did not make any bold predictions on Wednesday, but said his goal remains being dominant, and he feels like he is progressing toward that.
“I think I’m headed in the right direction. I’m taking the steps to become eventually that dominant defensive tackle in the NFL,” Williams said. “I can’t tell the future. I can’t tell what’s going to happen tomorrow, but every day I make sure that today I take the steps of becoming what I want to become, and that’s the most dominant defensive tackle in the NFL.”
Williams did not participate in the Jets’ minicamp this week, or in OTAs, after breaking a bone in his foot in April. Coach Robert Saleh said the team expects Williams to be ready for training camp, and Williams said his rehabilitation is going well.
Saleh and Williams got to know each other a little before the 2019 draft when the 49ers selected Nick Bosa No. 2 overall and the Jets took Williams with the next pick. Williams is excited to now play under Saleh.
“I’m a huge, huge Robert Saleh fan from the beginning, going through the draft process and getting a chance to meet him and watching him throughout his career,” Williams said. “He’s a very passionate person. He’s got a great defensive mind. Just to be able to play in this defense, you can see why it thrives. I’m just ready to get out there and perform in it.”
Rookie QB Zach Wilson declined to say whether he has received a COVID-19 vaccine. He called it a “personal question.” The NFL put out rules on Wednesday allowing vaccinated players many more freedoms than unvaccinated players.
“That’s just a personal thing with everyone on the team,” Wilson said. “No matter what people decide to do, we’re going to make it work.”
WR Corey Davis likes what he has seen from Jets receivers. Davis, whom the Jets added in free agency, heads a group that includes Jamison Crowder, Denzel Mims, Keelan Cole and rookie Elijah Moore.
“We definitely have potential,” Davis said. “Just looking around our room, we’ve got some diversity and a lot of guys who do a lot of different things for us. I was getting excited, especially when [Crowder] came back. That just adds more depth to our room. Just watching these guys — Elijah, Keelan and Mims — all these boys out there making plays. It’s good to see…. I’m really excited about the talent we have in that room.”
