FLORHAM PARK — Todd Bowles has a reputation for being a no-nonsense head coach, and he isn't one to dole out praise gratuitously. But after just a few weeks, Bowles already seems to be quite impressed with Leonard Williams, the Jets' first-round draft pick.

"Right now, most of the things are mental," Bowles said. "He's in pretty good shape, which I like. He's more mature than the average rookie. He's grasping the system quickly and he's moving around well out of pads, but to really judge him, you have to see him in pads for the linemen."

More mature? How so?

"Just the way he carries himself," Bowles said. "He doesn't carry himself like a young 20-year-old. He's got years beyond his age and the way he comes in and walks into it, treating it professionally."

Bowles has frequently referred to the NFL's offseason program as "two-hand touch," since most physical contact is verboten. But he's also explained how and what he and the Jets' coaching staff can evaluate at this time of year. Much of it has to do with how players approach their craft.

Williams and the Jets' second-round pick, wideout Devin Smith, were the only rookies to get work with the first-teamers during Wednesday's organized team activity practice, which was open to the media. The Jets' incumbent D-ends, Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson, were not present Wednesday, but the OTAs are voluntary and they both have their reasons for their absences.

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The Jets were already well-stocked at defensive end when they selected Williams at No. 6 overall, but that's because Williams was the top player available on their board. And more than a few draft analysts considered him the best player in the draft, at any position. Bowles has said he will figure out a way to work Williams into the D-line rotation. But, for now, in late May, when it's still just "two-hand touch," Williams is already doing the sort of little things that stand out.

"Sometimes you'll get rookies that just run around and don't know where to go; this guy is always where he needs to be," Bowles said. "He's always on time. He's always in his playbook. He's asking more questions than the normal rookies usually ask at this point in time. So from that standpoint, I just say he has age beyond his years."

Dom Cosentino may be reached at dcosentino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @domcosentino. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.