Sports Illustrated NFL Position Rankings Slot Jets' Q-Ball at No. 7 Overall

Gang Green's All-Pro Quinnen Williams viewed as one of league's top defensive linemen

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

When it comes to the top tier of defensive tackles in the National Football League, there's Aaron Donald, Chris Jones and Quinnen Williams. 

Going position by position, Sports Illustrated is producing Top 10 lists of the NFL's best players and the New York Jets' former top draft pick landed amongst the premier defensive linemen. 

Locked into the fifth-year option of his rookie contract for 2023, Williams appeared at No. 7 overall on SI scribe Gilberto Manzano's "Top 10 Defensive Linemen in the NFL Right Now, Ranked." 

In terms of interior linemen, only Donald and Jones ranked higher on the board than the 6-foot-3 Williams.

Defensive tackles Jeffery Simmons (Titans) and Dexter Lawrence (Giants) sat behind Williams at No. 9 and No. 10, respectively. Williams was sandwiched in between two edge rushers — No. 6 T.J. Watt (Steelers) and No. 8 Maxx Crosby (Raiders).

From  "Top 10 Defensive Linemen..."

— 7 —
Quinnen Williams, IDL, Jets

Williams, 25, is also coming off a career year, which he’s looking to turn into a massive contract extension, probably one higher than Simmons’s new deal. Despite Williams’s Twitter bio change, the Jets will likely get close to his contract demands this summer due to his dominant performance last season, and to have him for Aaron Rodgers’s first season. Williams had career highs in sacks (12) and quarterback hits (28) and was named to his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams. The 2019 No. 3 pick finally put it together after a few inconsistent seasons to start his career. 

— Gilberto Manzano

Football fans can follow the money when it comes to ranking the top 10 defensive linemen in the NFL. Here’s @GManzano’s list of the best in the league 🥇💪https://t.co/RhOSlrT3nN

— The MMQB (@theMMQB) June 5, 2023

Seeking a new contract that pays market value for an All Pro, Williams has not been present for the Jets' voluntary organized team activities this spring. The former Alabama star garnered attention for "scrubbing" any mentions of Gang Green from his social media accounts last month.

Another reason explaining his absence from team workouts is that the Jets' defensive centerpiece is expecting a child.

"Q-Ball [Quinnen Williams], I know they’re about to have a baby, which is awesome. Q, good luck brother," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh on May 23. 

As for the perceived contract dispute between the two parties, Saleh shared an optimistic take. 

"I’m not worried at all. That thing will get done and he’ll be here," said Saleh.

Williams has been unblockable at times while anchoring Gang Green's vaunted defense. He logged at least 6.0 sacks each of the past three years, including a career-high 12.0 QB takedowns in 2022.

He has totaled 27.5 sacks, 11 pass deflections, four forced fumbles and 60 quarterback hits over 57 regular season games (53 starts).

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