The New York Giants are going to place the franchise tag on defensive lineman Leonard Williams. Williams split the 2019 season between the two New York (New York Jets and Giants) metropolitan teams. The Jets selected Williams with the sixth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Leonard Williams to Be Franchise Tagged
Williams is a versatile defender who can line up anywhere in an even or odd defensive front alignment. His length and quickness makes him a blocking nightmare as it’s hard to move Williams off the line of scrimmage. No question, his skills make him a major disruptor of the opposing team’s running game.
Still, despite having freakish athleticism, Williams struggles to sack the quarterback. In 79 NFL games, Williams has recorded 266 tackles (34 tackles for losses), one forced fumble and one interception, but only 17.5 sacks. He has the potential to be a dangerous pass-rusher (101 quarterback hits), but Williams needs to develop a better closing move that gets him quicker to the quarterback.
Williams came on the national scene after his dominant junior season with USC in 2014. He was named first-team All Pac-12 after recording 80 tackles (9.5 of them for losses), seven sacks, three forced fumbles and one interception. Soon after the conclusion of the college bowl season, Williams announced that he would forgo his senior season and make himself available in the 2015 NFL Draft. Williams ended his collegiate career with 218 tackles (36.5 tackle for losses), 21.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and two interceptions.
At this past season’s trade deadline, the Giants sent a 2020 third-round draft pick and 2021 fifth-round draft pick to the Jets for Williams. They have now placed the franchise tag on him as they try to work out a long term deal.
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