Leonard Williams, a former defensive lineman for the New York Giants, has been the focus of numerous discussions about his worth to this team over the past few years.
His contract numbers were typically the target of criticism because many fans and media members feel that a player earning elite-level compensation ought to have numbers to back up those dollars.
Usually, sacks are the statistic for defensive linemen. However, Williams’ calling card has never been sacks. He never put up impressive sack totals at USC, so the Jets’ expectation that he would become a reliable double-digit sack artist after selecting him in the first round was misplaced.
Giants supporters never really appreciated Williams because that is completely untrue.
The worth of Williams
The ability of Williams to perform multiple roles within a unit is what really makes him valuable. He’s been a productive defensive end and defensive tackle in the past. In both odd- and even-man fronts, he has demonstrated excellent performance.
It’s this flexibility to switch between fronts and styles that allows the linebackers and other defensive linemen to move freely. He recorded 11.5 sacks in one season and then had 81 tackles in the next one.
Williams will disrupt plays, so offensive linemen know they cannot afford to leave him unaccounted for. Many praised general manager Joe Schoen for getting such value for Williams when the Giants made the decision to trade him to Seattle, but the only reason Schoen was able to obtain that value in draft compensation was because other players in the league are aware of Williams’ genuine talent and contributions.
IMPACT ON THE DEFENSE OF THE GIANTS
Everyone on the defense has missed Williams since his departure. About the additions the Giants made along the line during the offseason, none have the same cache as Williams, and they haven’t shown yet that they can step into his shoes to the same degree.
Dexter Lawrence, who regards Williams as a friend, was prevented from taking advantage of as many double teams as possible by Williams’s presence. When he’s not there, offensive lines usually think they can handle the other interior linemen one-on-one, so Lawrence has to deal with double teams.
Since Williams left, Lawrence has only had one sack of football. Their second encounter with the Commanders produced that sack as well as his lone tackle for loss. Just as Lawrence was starting to heat up statistically, the Williams trade occurred. Lawrence recorded three sacks, five solo tackles, and two tackles for loss in the final two games before Williams left.
The run defense appeared to be getting better after faltering during the early part of the campaign. The new players are all getting used to their new positions and realizing how they fit into this defense.
Their best performance as a rush defense came two weeks prior to Williams’ departure. They gave up a total of 138 yards in those two games, and they have since reverted to their early-season form, giving up 125, 168, and 174 yards in the final three games.
Blocking linebackers is easier when an offense does not have to commit multiple blockers to multiple defensive lineman, and the Giants have linebackers who are easier to cover up. More rushing lanes for ball carriers are the outcome. For the team to succeed, they cannot count on the opposing quarterback to mishandle the ball repeatedly.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Williams is still missed even though he may not have been a long-term member of the Giants. He has always been a mentor to the next generation of talent on the defensive line and beyond, a pro’s pro.
He put forth his best effort and consistently showed up for work during his five years with the Giants. Within the organization, he served as an example for others to follow.
Williams was much more than what the community ever gave him credit for, both in terms of his impact as a run- and pass-rusher, and you can be sure that it will be tough for a second-round pick to step into his shoes.