Los Angeles Chargers: Five-year history of the sixth pick in the NFL Draft
By Jason Reed
2015: Leonard Williams, DE, New York Jets
Leonard Williams was traded to the New York Giants this season but five years ago he was drafted by the New York Jets, and like the others on this list, quickly made a noticeable impact on the league.
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Williams was not a Pro Bowler in 2019 like three of his fellow sixth-overall picks but he does have one Pro Bowl under his belt, which was back in 2016 when Williams recorded seven sacks and 19 quarterback hits.
Just because he has not been a Pro Bowler since does not mean he has not been a productive defensive end, though. Williams has only missed one game in his entire career and while his sack numbers have been low, his ability to pressure the quarterback has been more than apparent.
This means that four of the last five sixth-overall picks have been named to the Pro Bowl at least once, with the one exception being Daniel Jones, who only has one season under his belt.
In fact, the sixth overall pick is the only pick in the entire draft to have spawned four consecutive Pro Bowl players from 2015 to 2018. If we include Jake Matthews in 2014 then the sixth overall pick spawned five-straight Pro Bowl players.
That is a very good sign for the Los Angeles Chargers. History tends to repeat itself and while the team might not get the first or second-best quarterback in the draft, it appears that it might be a lock to get a Pro Bowl-caliber player.
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In terms of this pick, the New York Jets could have had better, as there were some great players selected right after Williams, but Williams cannot be considered a bad pick in the slightest.