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Jets Select USC's DT Leonard Williams With 6th Overall Pick In NFL Draft

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) -- The New York Jets added another big playmaker to its formidable defensive line.

The Jets selected Southern California defensive tackle Leonard Williams with the sixth overall pick in the NFL draft Thursday night.

The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Williams will team with fellow first-rounders Muhammad Wilkerson (2011) and Sheldon Richardson (2013) on new coach Todd Bowles' front line.

New general manager Mike Maccagnan had said he would talk to the teams ahead and after the Jets about possible trade scenarios, but New York stayed put and took a player whom many considered the best overall talent in the draft.

"He was too good a value for us to pass on," Maccagnan said.

The selection marked the sixth straight season the Jets have taken a defensive player with their first pick.

It's also the fifth time the Jets had the sixth overall pick, and first since they took defensive end Vernon Gholston in 2008.

Williams had 218 career tackles in college in 35 starts, and routinely caused problems for quarterbacks and offensive coordinators with 21 sacks, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and two interceptions.

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