DL – Leonard Williams
Career stats: 323 total tackles, 48 tackles for loss, 29 sacks
Williams led the NY Giants in sacks last season, as playing for defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and defensive line coach Sean Spencer seemed to untap his first-round potential.
Now, the pressure is on Williams to prove the NY Giants’ $63 million commitment this offseason is justified, especially because prior to 2020 he produced more than five sacks only twice since being chosen No. 6 overall by the Jets back in 2015.
Coming off a career-high 11.5 sacks, Williams now has the opportunity to prove he can be a consistent difference-maker.
Graham is optimistic Williams builds on last season’s success.
"“He definitely understands he has stuff to work on and he’s eager to work on it,” Graham said during minicamp. “I couldn’t be more excited to see how he performs. Again, the focus is on today and he’s strung together some good days so far. But you know, I can’t predict the future or anything but with his attitude, he has the right attitude to be successful for the long haul.”"
If Williams lives up to Graham’s confidence and expectations, not only does he have a good chance of pacing the NY Giants’ pass-rush again, but New York’s pass-rush overall has the chance to improve dramatically in 2021.