The Giants have added more help in the trenches, trading for Jets DL Leonard Williams in the first deal between the rival franchise since 1983.
Giants GM Dave Gettleman has now added a former first-round pick (sixth overall to the Jets in 2015) to his defensive line, but the trade hasn't been welcomed as you'd think based off that statement. Williams' production with the Jets isn't what many expected over his first few NFL seasons.
That is mainly due to the lack of sacks Williams has put up in 71 career games. After totaling 20 sacks in three college seasons, Williams only has 17 total sacks. He has also yet to total one this year despite defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' scheme being a hyperactive one that was supposed to unleash the 25-year-old.
However, Jets head coach Adam Gase and the rest of the coaching staff has been defending Leo all season long, saying he's checking the boxes elsewhere. Obviously the sack total doesn't give the full picture when evaluating a defensive lineman.
Well, after the trade, Pro Football Focus might have just revealed that to Giants fans shaking their heads at the trade.
The 6-foot-5, 291-pound lineman excels in other statistical marks, especially in the run game. For example, Williams has 97 run stops since 2016, which is tied third with Minnesota DL Linval Joseph in that span. Also, Williams makes tackles in the backfield, totaling 43 of them in the same timeframe which is third in the league.
There is also this stat: Since 2016, Williams is second only to All-Pro DL Aaron Donald with 38.7 percent of his run tackles going for loss or no gain. With the Giants currently ranked 22nd in the league with 122.4 yards allowed on the ground per game, having a force like Williams to help curb that trend will be huge.
However, it will be hard for Giants fans tuned into the Jets to not want him to get to the quarterback. He has no tackles for loss this season to go along with his nonexistent sack total. Maybe Giants DC James Bettcher's scheme could unleash him differently in its 3-4 front seven.
That will remain to be seen, but Williams certainly wants to make a good first impression on his new team. And though it isn't entirely a new change in scenery with MetLife Stadium still his home, Williams may be able to provide that run stopping prowess with some improved pass rushing numbers to create a more dangerous front on the defensive side of the ball soon.