Jacksonville Jaguars must target these 3 defensive tackles this offseason

Leonard Williams could solidify the Jacksonville Jaguars front four.

The New York Jets used the sixth overall selection in 2015’s draft to take defensive tackle Leonard Williams. Although he wasn’t necessarily a bust early in his NFL and even made the Pro Bowl in 2016, he wasn’t an All-Pro either, and after four years and eight games, the Jets traded him to the New York Giants in 2019.

Giants general manager Dave Gettleman liked what he saw in Williams and placed the franchise tag on him after the 2019 season. The defensive tackle is set to become a free agent unless the ‘G-Men’ tag him again. If Williams hits the open market, the demand for his services will be high.

In 2020, the six-foot-five standout registered 57 total tackles, (14 for a loss), 11.5 sacks, and 30 quarterback hits. Moreover, he earned a 79.8 Pro Football Focus grade in the season, and an 82.6 mark against the run this past season. On the other hand, the Jaguars should proceed with caution. Williams has registered more than ten sacks in a season once and it’s uncertain whether he can repeat the feat in 2021.

Williams will ask for market compensation in free agency and the ‘Jags’ have enough money in the bank to sign him. They will have to decide if they want to allocate a big chunk of their cap space to one player. It may be worth it in the long run, but they have to think it through before pulling the trigger.