Leonard Williams

What will Leonard Williams accomplish in 2017? (Winslow Townson | AP Images for Panini)

The Jets are likely destined for a loss-filled season in 2017, as they rebuild with younger players.

Defensive end Leonard Williams, the sixth overall draft pick in 2015, was the Jets' most valuable player last season, in a miserable 5-11 year. He is part of the team's future plans.

So what does he think of the rebuilding approach, which surely will keep the Jets far away from the playoff hunt this season?

A lot of people have asked him this question, so he had an answer ready Wednesday, during a conference call with reporters.

"I'm trusting the process," he said.

Ah, yes. That famous Philadelphia 76ers rebuilding line.

The Jets this offseason cut pricey veterans and didn't exactly replace them with high-profile free agents. This organization wants to rebuild through the draft, which makes sense.

"I think I'm just kind of moving on from it," Williams said of the Jets' tear-down offseason. "That was this offseason, and now we're back and we have all new guys. So I'm trying to focus on the guys that we have here, and not the guys that we don't."

Williams used the phrase "I'm trusting the process" two more times during his conference call session Wednesday. He grew up in Daytona Beach, Fla., but he has a Philadelphia go-to line mastered already. Ex-Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie would be proud.

This surely won't be the last time we hear somebody in Florham Park utter this line in 2017, as the Jets probably will stumble along, with a roster majorly lacking in proven talent.

Even as the Jets likely will struggle in 2017, Williams wants to build on his first two seasons, when he had three and seven sacks. He made the Pro Bowl as an alternate last season.

"I'm going to try to make it back again, but not be an alternate," he said. "I'm trying to get at least 10-plus [sacks] this year, and try to keep elevating my game more and more. Even outside of that, I just want to step up more into my leadership role."

Considering how young the Jets are -- and how they cut some veteran leaders -- there is certainly a leadership void that Williams can perhaps fill.

Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.