Report: Jets to pick up option on DL Williams
The New York Jets will pick up the fifth-year option on defensive lineman Leonard Wiliams' rookie contract before the May 3 deadline, according to the New York Daily News.
Williams, who the Jets drafted sixth overall in 2015, is set to make $2.975 million in 2018.
The option will pay him the average of the top 10 players at his position and becomes fully guaranteed at the start of the 2019 league year. The team can also still opt to sign Williams to a long-term deal that overrides the fifth-year option.
The Jets figure to have $100 million in cap space next season, making a long-term deal feasible.
Williams, 23, has started 47 of 48 regular-season games in his three years with the Jets, racking up 12 sacks and 87 tackles. He also has 65 quarterback hits over that span, including 25 last season.
The Jets released linemate Muhammad Wilkerson, who signed with the Green Bay Packers, in the offseason.
--Field Level Media