Avery Williamson makes his first Pro Bowl

“Avery Williamson” isn’t a household name at linebacker quite yet, but ever since being drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft, he’s been a consistent producer for the powder blue. Over four years, Williamson has logged 59 starts, 377 total tackles, and 11.5 sacks. Last year was one of his best campaigns yet; he amassed 92 tackles, 3.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two pass deflections in sixteen full games.

Williamson’s productivity isn’t as big an asset as his reliability; in four years, he’s only missed one game, which was back in 2015. The former Kentucky Wildcat deserved every penny of the three-year, $22.5 million contract awarded to him by the New York Jets earlier this offseason, and he’ll prove his worth this season.

Williamson isn’t necessarily entering a better defense in New York, but with Demario Davis leaving the fold, and with Darron Lee yet to develop into the first-round caliber player he was drafted to be, Williamson has a very good opportunity to fill the void and maximize his production behind a decent defensive line, working in conjunction with a secondary of similar prestige.

With a new opportunity, Williamson, a proven commodity as an active, workmanlike defender on the second level, can reach new heights. A Pro Bowl berth could be in his future.

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