Steelers should offer a second-round pick for Jets DT Quinnen Williams right now

The Steelers are loaded with talent on the defensive line, but here’s why they shouldn’t hesitate to offer a high draft choice for Jets DT, Quinnen Williams.

By all accounts, the Pittsburgh Steelers currently possess one of the best defensive fronts they have had since the dominant defensive lines of the mid-2000s – maybe even of all time. T.J. Watt is yet again a Defensive Player of Year candidate, while Stephon Tuitt, Cameron Heyward, Bud Dupree, and Tyson Alualu are playing out of their minds right now.

The Jets on the other hand are not so hot. Entering Week 7, New York is the only winless team as they currently sit at 0-6. Head coach Adam Gase has been a nightmare to their organization, and this team doesn’t stand a shot to fight back in the hunt this season.

As a result of their internal combustion, it has been rumored that the Jets would be willing to deal most players on their roster as they begin yet another rebuilding phase. Among the names that could be up for grabs before the trade deadline is defensive tackle, Quinnen Williams.

As you might recall, Williams was an absolute stud for Alabama before entering the draft in 2018. As a redshirt sophomore, Williams compiled 71 tackles, 19.5 tackles for a loss, and 8.0 sacks despite drawing consistent double teams. His leverage and explosion off the line were top-notch and backed up his film with impressive testing numbers at the NFL Combine – testing in the 83rd percentile among NFL defensive tackles, according to 3 Sigma Athlete.

Why the Steelers should make a trade for Williams

You’re probably wondering why on earth the Steelers would need to spend a valuable draft choice to trade for a defensive tackle, of all things – quite possibly the best position on their roster. Simply put, the price is right.

Just a year-and-a-half ago, Williams was a blue-chip draft prospect who was taken by the Jets with the 3rd overall pick. A trade for Williams could end up being a Minkah Fitzpatrick-like steal.

Sure, the Steelers are stacked with players like Tuitt, Heyward, and Alualu up front. However, there are plenty of reasons they shouldn’t hesitate if they can obtain Williams for a second-round pick and change. For starters, Alualu turns 34 years old next offseason and he is currently in the final year of his deal. If Alualu wants to keep playing football, he may be able to get more money elsewhere. Even if he decides to stay, there’s no guarantee that his play won’t decline in his 12th NFL season.

Regardless of what happens with Alualu, the Steelers shouldn’t let that affect their decision to trade for a talent like Williams. Though he has just 2.0 sacks in 6 games so far in 2020, everyone looks bad on the Jets. Plugging a player of this magnitude between Tuitt and Heyward on the defensive line wouldn’t be fair to any other team in the league.

I know the defensive line obviously isn’t a priority right now, but if the Steelers can get a cornerstone player like Quinnen Williams for potentially the price of a second-round pick, you make that move in a heartbeat. This 22-year-old defensive tackle has three-and-a-half years left on his rookie deal plus a potential fifth-year option. Williams could be a foundational player you could build your defense around for years to come.