New York Jets: Is Leonard Williams ready to take the next step?

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:56 p.m. ET

Fansided, Stephen Smith/FanSided via NFL Spin Zone

Leonard Williams was one of the few bright spots during a bleak 2016 New York Jets season. Is he ready to take the next step up in performance and leadership?

One of the few bright spots in a dismal 5-11 campaign in 2016 for the New York Jets was the performance of defensive tackle Leonard Williams. A first-round pick (sixth overall) in the 2015 NFL Draft, the USC product was the anchor on New York's defensive line and was honored with his first Pro Bowl selection (as an alternate). Touted by many scouts as the best overall player in that 2015 NFL Draft, the sky appears to be the limit for the Bakersfield, CA native.

The 6-5, 295-pounder was a stabilizing force on a defensive unit that had their share of problems last year. Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson struggled through disappointing seasons and sorely need strong bounce-back campaigns in 2017.

New York's linebackers were generally slow to the football and the secondary was a complete disaster. All in all, Gang Green allowed 25.6 points per game last year. That ranked 28th out of 32 teams. However, Williams was a delight to watch.

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Williams led the Jets with seven sacks last season, four more than in his rookie year. He added two forced fumbles, 36 solo tackles and 32 assisted tackles and was a model of consistency right throughout a difficult, challenging campaign. There was marked improvement in his play from his first to his second NFL season. Williams has quickly evolved into one of the best defensive tackles in the league.

So is he ready to take the next step up, instead of being named to the Pro Bowl as an alternate can Williams make the all-star squad as a starter? He already has a specific goal in mind.

"I'm going to try to make it back again, but not be an alternate," Williams said via 247 Sports. "I'm trying to get at least 10-plus [sacks] and try to keep elevating my game more and more."

Although he is still just 22 years old, Williams also wants to become more of a team leader as well. That's very important for a Jets contingent that is expected to really struggle in the win column this coming season.

"I just want to step up more into my leadership role," he stated via 247 Sports. "We have a lot of younger guys on the team now. We kind of lost some of our older guys. Now I'm stepping into my role and trying to be more of a leader now."

Now the task at hand will be Williams proving those are more than just words.

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Leonard Williams

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