Jets defensive end Leonard Williams had a strong rookie year in 2015.

On Thursday, he was rewarded for it, by being named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year ... by ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.

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No word on if Kiper will mail Williams a bronzed pompadour as a trophy.

Kiper gave Williams the award as part of his all-rookie team. Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Williams was the only Jets player on Kiper's all-rookie team. The other defensive end who made it: the Raiders' Mario Edwards Jr.

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Kiper also considered Bills cornerback Ronald Darby and Chiefs corner Marcus Peters for Defensive Rookie of the Year. In the end, here is why he chose Williams:

He played nearly 800 snaps, was outstanding against the run, helped free up teammates to rush the passer, and actually did some great work in pushing the pocket himself. You really have to watch Williams on every snap because stats won't do him justice. I had him as the No. 1 overall player in the 2015 NFL draft, and I think he lived up to that. And yes, he was a total steal at No. 6 for New York. Great work by that front office.

The Jets indeed drafted Williams sixth last spring, after he fell into their laps. Nobody expected him to fall that far. It was a no-brainer pick for the Jets, and general manager Mike Maccagnan hasn't claimed any scouting wizardry for making it, since he said it was an easy choice -- best player available and all that.

Williams finished the season with three sacks. He played extensively in the first four games, starting in place of the suspended Sheldon Richardson (marijuana). But Williams wasn't an every-down player all year.

The Jets' coaches wanted to see him improve his pass rushing technique, and the use his of his hands, before they played him more on third downs. He improved in those areas later in the season, and wound up getting more third-down action.

Pro Football Focus rated Williams seventh among 3-4 defensive ends, including 13th as a pass rusher and fourth against the run. Even though he didn't play as many snaps as other top 3-4 ends, Williams ranked third at his position with 19 quarterback hits. He also had the 13th-most hurries (27).

It's pretty clear that Williams has a bright future in the NFL. He fit in just fine with the Jets' top defensive ends, Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson.

Thursday wasn't the first time Kiper honored Williams. In early October, after Week 4, Kiper named Williams the league's top overall rookie to that point.

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