A easy method Aaron Glenn can assist unlock Quinnen Williams

Like lots of his teammates, Jets defensive deal with Quinnen Williams had a down yr in 2024. His struggles had been probably not about his utilization. That mentioned, I’d argue that the way in which the Jets utilized Williams underneath Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich did make him a bit simpler to neutralize. In 2022 and 2023, Williams was so dominant that it didn’t matter. In 2024, his stage of play had extra to do along with his struggles than what I’m about to say. But when the aim is to get the most effective out of Quinnen Williams in 2025 and past, it could possibly be value it for the Jets to consider diversifying his alignments.

When Williams lined up at defensive deal with final season, he was on the suitable aspect greater than 90 p.c of the time.

On early downs, the Jets primarily used what is called an over entrance.

Now that is an oversimplification, however in an over entrance the alignment of the defensive tackles is usually decided by the place the tight finish is situated (purple). The aspect with the tight finish is the sturdy aspect of the formation. The deal with to that aspect aligns between the middle and the guard (yellow). The deal with to the opposite aspect aligns on the skin shoulder of the guard (orange).

As you may most likely see, the man within the yellow (Javon Kinlaw) is aligned at a spot the place he’s sure to get a double staff, whereas Quinnen in orange is aligned in a spot that can most likely get him a one on one.

Nevertheless, it was extra frequent for Williams to finish up within the double staff spot.

Certainly one of my huge complaints in regards to the Jets protection has been that it’s too simple to control. If Williams goes to align on the suitable aspect ceaselessly, it turns into easy to determine how to ensure he’s double teamed. The alignment of the offensive formation can deal with that in lots of cases. Once more, when Williams was at defensive deal with, he basically lived full time on the suitable aspect.

ESPN Analytics tracked double groups on defensive tackles and located that Williams obtained one 62 p.c of the time in 2024.

Now after all circumstances are completely different, and we don’t know that Aaron Glenn is essentially going to do every thing the very same method he did with the Lions. That mentioned, Detroit tended to have its defensive tackles flip between the 2 sides. Levi Onwuzurike, DJ Reader, and. Alim McNeill noticed intensive motion on each the left and proper sides, approaching a 50/50 break up.

Once more, that is advanced. I need to reiterate that this was not the one downside with Quinnen Williams in 2024. What I simply talked about didn’t cease him from having higher success in 2022 and 2023. The Jets additionally did make efforts on passing downs to maneuver him to spots the place he might get a good matchup.

There are a selection of adjustments that would profit Quinnen Williams. I wouldn’t be shocked to see a extra numerous set of fronts from the Jets protection this coming season. It additionally wouldn’t damage to have any individual higher than Kinlaw benefitting from the one on ones double teaming Quinnen creates. A greater companion may make defenses suppose twice about sending all of their doubles his method.

Nonetheless I believe the Aaron Glenn protection might put him in a greater place to provide. He might discover himself searching favorable matchups just by aligning in a extra numerous set of spots presnap.