Indianapolis Colts v New York Jets

Leonard Williams #92 of the New York Jets prepares to take the field for their game against the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium on December 5, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello | Getty Images)

FLORHAM PARK -- Leonard Williams had a goal entering this season: He wanted sacks.

Thirteen games in, he has them. A lot of them, actually. Seven, to be exact.

But the Jets defensive end isn't satisfied. Not even close.

"I want more," Williams told NJ Advance Media with a smile. "I always want more."

It's easy to look at Williams, whom the Jets drafted with the No. 6 pick in 2015, and find nothing wrong. He's a massive physical beast (6-5, 302 pounds), and his production is undeniable (55 tackles, two forced fumbles, nine tackles for a loss).

But when the 22-year-old watches film, he becomes his harshest critic.

Maybe it's a bull rush when he should have used a swim, poor hand placement that slowed him off the line? Maybe he took an angle outside, when he should have cut in? Each game, he sees two or three opportunities missed to make a big play.

"Even when I get a sack or a big play in a game, I still see times where I would have someone beat and didn't finish my move," Williams said. "I know I've improved my numbers a lot this year, but I can keep growing.

"Not a lot of fans can see through the stats. When I'm watching film, I see I can be making more plays than I am right now."

So many in Williams' position would be content, happy with the player they are. What impresses the Jets most is his mental maturity. He looks past the plays he is making to focus on those he should be.

Williams is obsessed with the nuances of the game. It's why head coach Todd Bowles says he has only started to scratch the surface of his potential.

"He's understanding blocking schemes a little bit better, and the game has slowed down for him," Bowles said earlier this year. "Before he was just running like a bull in a China shop. Now he understands what's happening to him and he's adjusting.

"He has come along leaps and bounds. The mental part of the game is becoming slow to him, so he's doing a very good job."

Despite playing on a defensive line that includes Pro Bowlers Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson, Williams is regarded by many as the Jets' best defensive player. In almost no time at all, he has seamlessly transitioned from the college game, to pros.

Every now and again, Williams says he has to pinch himself. He sees his Twitter mentions filled with praise and compliments, the analysts talking him up, too.

But none of it's getting to his head.

"It's honestly really hard to hear," Williams said. "I wouldn't be expecting any of that already. I'm only 22. It feels good to be mentioned with guys that have been doing this for a long time. Hopefully, I can be doing this for a long time as well.

"I just want to keep working. Keep growing. I love and appreciate all the support, but luckily I do a good job not reading into it."

Connor Hughes may be reached at chughes@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connor_J_Hughes. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.