NY Giants’ Leonard Williams No. 84 on NFL’s Top 100 Players of 2020

NY Giants defensive end Leonard Williams is garnering plenty of respect from his fellow players across the NFL 

Leonard Williams finally had his much-anticipated breakout season in 2020, and the NY Giants rewarded him in good faith with a 3-year, $63 million deal.

Williams shined with career-high numbers including 11.5 sacks, 14 tackles for a loss, and 30 QB hits. Williams was simply dominant on a regular basis and was no match for opposing linemen. Williams shined in the Giants‘ big wins such as the Bengals, Cowboys, and the Seahawks.

For the first time ever, “The Big Cat” made the NFL Player’s Top 100 list. Williams earned the respect and appreciation from his fellow players and competitors around the league.

Williams came in at No. 84, a very respectable number for any player’s first time on the Top-100 list. Leonard came just ahead of some direct head-on competition in the NFC East with the Cowboys’ Zack Martin listed at #85.

“He can stop the run, he’s stout, the guy makes plays” according to 2020 All-Pro Myles Garrett. Andrew Whitworth of the LA Rams boasted “When you walk on the football field with him, he passes the eye test as well. He’s a big human, the ability he has with his length, with his size. This year, he also did a great job showing his ability to rush the passer” the longtime offensive tackle said.

"“He’s such a strong guy, man. Talented. But he’s definitely a guy that you have to come up with a good game plan to attack him” – Broncos OT Garrett Bolles on Leo Williams"

Bolles praising Williams garners some attention. The two will go head-to-head in Week 1. Their individual matchup will be a key one to watch between two great players in the trenches.

An NFC defensive player also clearly is a fan of Leo’s game. Packers linebacker Z’Darius Smith said of Williams, “He showed up this year and he also got a big deal too.” Clearly, people have taken notice of Leonard Williams and his performance from 2020. It was a big year for him heading into a contract year and that’s now been resolved. Williams can focus on his game and make sure to follow up 2020 with a great year in 2021.