Quinnen Williams striving to be NFL’s most dominant defensive tackle

<div><p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Quinnen Williams is on a mission to be the best at his position.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The third-year defensive tackle had the best season of his career in 2020 after a disappointing rookie year in 2019. Williams now believes he’s heading in the right direction to becoming the most dominant defensive tackle in the NFL.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">“I can’t tell the future, but every day I make sure that I take the steps to become what I want to become,” Williams </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW3CkNFWyLU" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">said</span></a> this week<span data-preserver-spaces="true">.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Williams has the physical traits and skillset to become a great defensive tackle. He stands at 6-foot-3 and 303 pounds but has good speed for his size. The issue for Williams over his first two NFL seasons has been his health. He has yet to play a full 16 games in the NFL due to various injuries.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The 23-year-old was the focal point of the Jets’ defense last season. Williams recorded career-highs in total tackles (55), tackles for loss (10), sacks (7), quarterback hits (14), pass breakups (3) and forced fumbles (2) in 13 games. He missed the end of the regular season after suffering a neck injury and a concussion in Week 15 against the Chargers.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Williams is currently dealing with a foot injury that he suffered in the spring. He broke a bone in his foot while working out at the Jets’ facility, which resulted in him getting surgery. The injury caused Williams to miss OTAs and mandatory minicamp. However, Williams should be ready for the start of Jets training camp on July 27.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">When Williams can return to the field, he’ll get his first opportunity to practice under new Jets head coach Robert Saleh. Williams was as excited as anybody when Saleh was hired because he believes he can take his game to the next level.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">“I love him,” Williams </span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">said</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">. “I’m a huge, huge Robert Saleh fan from the beginning. Going through the draft process and getting the chance to meet him, talk to him, watching him throughout his career in the NFL. He’s a very passionate person, and he’s got a great defensive mind. Just to be able to play in this defense, you can see why it thrives… so I’m just ready to get out there and perform in it.”</span></p> <aside class="shortcode shortcode--listicle" data-gallery-id="661208"> <h2 class="shortcode--listicle__header"><span>List</span></h2> <a class="shortcode--listicle__link" href="https://jetswire.usatoday.com/lists/new-york-jets-bounce-back-seasons-under-robert-salehs-coaching-staff/" title="4 Jets poised for bounce-back seasons under Robert Saleh's coaching staff"> <h2 class="shortcode--listicle__title">4 Jets poised for bounce-back seasons under Robert Saleh's coaching staff</h2> <div class="shortcode--listicle__image"> <img width="1000" height="600" src="https://jetswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/66/2021/06/029339b62d1c413d964c65242603d303-e1623120768231.jpg?w=1000" class="attachment-1000x1000 size-1000x1000" alt="" loading="lazy"> </div> </a> </aside> <div id="inline-newsletter-widget" class="hidden" data-position="7"><div class="widget widget--newsletter widget--box"> <div class="newsletter__wrapper "> <div class="newsletter__signup-wrapper"> <label class="newsletter__input-label" for="newsletter-email-input"> <span class="screen-reader-text">Email</span> </label> <button type="submit" class="newsletter__button">Sign up </button> <div class="newsletter__sidetext"> <h3>Like this article?</h3> <p>Sign up for the Jets Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning</p> </div> <div class="newsletter__state newsletter__state--error"> <h3 class="newsletter__header newsletter__header--error">An error has occured</h3> <p class="newsletter__text newsletter__text--error"> Please re-enter your email address. </p> </div> </div> <div class="newsletter__state newsletter__state--success"> <h3 class="newsletter__header">Thanks for signing up!</h3> <p class="newsletter__text"> You'll now receive the top Jets Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. </p> </div> </div> </div></div></div>