EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Giants today sharply upgraded a defensive line that already includes three highly-drafted young players.
The team announced it has acquired lineman Leonard Williams, the sixth overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft, in a trade with the Jets, who will receive a 2020 third-round selection and a 2021 fifth round selection that could become a fourth.
Williams joins a defensive front that includes three-year veteran Dalvin Tomlinson (second-round selection in 2017), second-year pro B.J. Hill (third-round choice in 2018), and rookie Dexter Lawrence, who was chosen 17th overall in the 2019 draft.
“I don’t know any of them personally, but I know about them,” Williams said. “I’m definitely excited to get to work with them, get to know the guys personally so we can bond together and get at it. I’m still learning, I have to learn the defense, get the playbook and all that stuff tonight. This is my first time ever in a new building in the NFL, there is a lot going on right now.
“I’m just ready to bring some toughness, some pass rush, some run stop, everything. Being a good teammate to the guys, being a good guy in the building on and off the field, just know that I am going to give it my all every day.”
Williams said he will be able to learn the defense in time to contribute to the defense when the Giants host the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night.
“I don’t think it will be too hard,” he said. “When I was in college, I had a different defensive coordinator every year, I had two different D-coordinators here (with the Jets). I think because I’ve had so many different D-coordinators and had to learn defenses quickly, I’ve learned how to learn stuff fast.”
In a corresponding move, the Giants waived linebacker Tae Davis, who was one of the four starting linebackers in the season opener in Dallas. Davis has played just three other games and has been inactive four of the last five, including Sunday in Detroit. He joined the Giants last year as a rookie free agent from Chattanooga and played in 14 games with four starts.
The 6-5 and 302-pound Williams has never missed a game in his five NFL seasons, starting 70 of the 71 games in which he’s played, including 65 in a row. The only game Williams did not start was on Oct. 25, 2015 vs. New England in the sixth game of his rookie season.
Williams’ career statistics include 299 tackles (169 solo), 17.0 sacks, 90 quarterback hits, one interception, three passes defensed, and two forced fumbles. In seven games this season, he has 20 tackles (eight solo), five quarterback hits and one pass defensed.
“We are excited to have Leonard,” said coach Pat Shurmur. “He is a young yet very experienced defensive player who has the ability to make an impact against the run and the pass. In our system, he has the ability to play multiple positions on our defensive line. I have been impressed by how hard he plays every single snap. Everybody we spoke with talked about what a hard worker Leonard is and what a good teammate he is.”
Williams had his most productive season in 2016, when he was selected to the Pro Bowl and named the Jets’ MVP after he started all 16 games for the first time and recorded career-high totals of 86 tackles, 49 solos, 7.0 sacks, and both of his forced fumbles.
Photos from the career of new Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams, who was recently acquired via trade.
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) poses for a photo during a portrait shoot on Monday, June 3, 2019 in Florham Park, NJ. (Rob Tringali via AP)
New York Jets defensive tackle Leonard Williams (92) sacks Seattle Seahawks' Russell Wilson (3) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is sacked by New York Jets defensive end Henry Anderson, left, and defensive end Leonard Williams during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) tackles New Orleans Saints' Alvin Kamara (41) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) looks on from the sidelines during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Patriots defeated the Jets, 33-0. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) and New York Jets nose tackle Steve McLendon (99) tackles Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Carter (14) during an NFL regular season football game on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Texans won, 28-22. (Ric Tapia via AP)
New York Jets strong safety Jamal Adams, left, congratulates defensive end Leonard Williams (92) after he sacked Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew II during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) gets set at the line of scrimmage prior to the snap during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Patriots defeated the Jets, 33-0. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) celebrates a sack of Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum with defensive end Henry Anderson (96) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) looks on while stretching during warmups prior to an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Patriots defeated the Jets, 33-0. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) runs around the edge as New England Patriots offensive guard Marshall Newhouse (72) blocks during an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. New England won 33-0. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. ( Tom DiPace via AP)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) waits in the team tunnel before taking the field for player introductions prior to an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Patriots defeated the Jets, 33-0. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) during an NFL regular season football game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Bills won, 41-10. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, center, is hit by New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams, right, and cornerback Buster Skrine during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Fans greet New York Jets defensive tackle Leonard Williams (92) before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams celebrates after sacking Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, not pictured, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) takes the field before the 2017 NFL Pro Bowl football game Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017 in Orlando. The AFC won 20 - 13. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
New York Jets defensive tackle Leonard Williams (92) celebrates with fans after an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum (4) is sacked by New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) as Jets defensive back Parry Nickerson (43) closes in during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams, center, gets past Denver Broncos' Billy Turner, above, to sack quarterback Case Keenum, below, during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) celebrates his sack during the NFL regular season game against the Buffalo Bills in East Rutherford, NJ. The Bills won, 22-17. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) is sacked by New York Jets' Leonard Williams (92) and Muhammad Wilkerson (96) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) is sacked by New York Jets defensive tackle Leonard Williams (92) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) poses for a photo during a portrait shoot on Monday, June 3, 2019 in Florham Park, NJ. (Rob Tringali via AP)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) poses for a photo during a portrait shoot on Monday, June 3, 2019 in Florham Park, NJ. (Rob Tringali via AP)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) poses for a photo during a portrait shoot on Monday, June 3, 2019 in Florham Park, NJ. (Rob Tringali via AP)
USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams poses for photos with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the New York Jets as the sixth pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, Thursday, April 30, 2015, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams celebrates after being selected by the New York Jets as the sixth pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, Thursday, April 30, 2015, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Southern California defensive lineman Leonard Williams yells while running through a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams talks with reporters during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Southern California defensive end Leonard Williams gestures during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Fresno State, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
California quarterback Jared Goff, left, is sacked by Southern California defensive end Leonard Williams during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Southern California defensive end Leonard Williams plays against Washington State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Los Angeles, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Washington quarterback Keith Price (17) is knocked down by Southern California's Leonard Williams as Wes Horton (96) moves past Price's fumbled ball in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012, in Seattle. Price lost the ball on a quarterback keeper, and Southern Cal recovered at its own 4-yard line. Southern Cal won 24-14. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Utah quarterback Adam Schulz (12) is sacked by Southern California defensive end Leonard Williams (94) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013, in Los Angeles. USC won 19- 3. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)
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Williams’ name had been floated in trade rumors for several weeks. But that didn’t diminish the surprise when he got the news.
“I still was a little bit shocked because I got drafted there,” Williams said. “I know we have a new G.M. (Joe Douglas), so I knew it was still a possibility. Mentally, I was still preparing myself, but I didn’t know if it was going to happen or not. I also didn’t know it would happen with the Giants. I think that’s a big help not to have to go to a new city.
“I think it’s a transition. Any change is going to be a little bit of an adjustment. At the same time, I am excited, the guys seem happy to have me here. I’m obviously going to try to work hard and do as much as I can for people that want to have me around.”
Being traded to the Giants lessens the logistical challenge Williams faces this week.
“That definitely makes the adjustment a lot easier,” he said. “If I had to be traded, it makes it a lot easier that I don’t have to pack a bag and move to a whole new city overnight. I’m still right up the street, I don’t have to change my area code or anything like that. I came right down here this morning, just a quick 30-minute drive, I’m still in the same area, still in New York. That definitely helps the adjustment.”
Williams’ second game with the Giants will be against his former team. On Nov. 10, the Giants will be the visiting team when they face the Jets.
“I’m excited for it,” Williams said.
Prior to joining the Jets, Williams had a stellar three-year career at the University of Southern California. In 39 games (35 starts), he tallied 218 tackles (111 solo), 21.0 sacks, 36.5 tackles for loss, four fumble recoveries and two interceptions.
Williams starred at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Tomlinson and Lawrence have started all eight games this season (the former has started 40 consecutive games) and Hill has played in every game with five starts. Hill leads the trio with 23 tackles (eight solos) but has yet to record a sack after finishing with a Giants rookie record 5.5 last year. Lawrence has 21 tackles (11 solo) and 2.0 sacks, and Tomlinson has 1.5 sacks among his 20 tackles (12 solo). Among the reserve linemen, Olsen Pierre has 2.0 sacks and RJ McIntosh has 1.0.
“Each guy up front I think has had an impact and played pretty good at times,” coach Pat Shurmur said yesterday. “…I think we’ve been inconsistent in all of the groups. (Sunday) was probably one of B.J. Hill’s better outings. Going forward, I think Dexter Lawrence is battling and playing hard, and Dalvin. Those are the three guys that come to mind right now that are very steady. I think we have to get better and certainly we all have to play better to win these games. But I think they’re making improvements.”
The trade that has Williams switching local uniforms is believed to be just the second ever consummated between the Giants and Jets – but the first was voided.
On Aug. 23, 1983, the Giants traded center Chris Foote to the Jets for a draft choice. But the Jets released Foote six days later, nullifying the trade. Foote re-signed with the Giants on Sept. 12 and he played in 11 games for them that season, four more than he had played in his debut season with the team in 1982.
This was the Giants’ first player acquisition via an in-season trade since Oct. 4, 2013, when they added linebacker Jon Beason from Carolina for a seventh-round draft choice. The Panthers’ general manager then was Dave Gettleman, who now holds the same position with the Giants.
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