The Leading Authority of the NFL Draft

Pros: Physically, this Vanderbilt product possesses the complete package—height, bulk, wingspan, strong hands and mobility. Williams is adept at keeping defenders away from his quarterback and controlling the line of scrimmage. He can also get out on the perimeter to put a big hit on an unsuspecting defensive back. A team leader, Williams has proven to be very durable the past three seasons as a starter, having never missed a game due to injury. He plays with a bit of a chip on his shoulder and has experience playing guard as well as tackle, providing some versatility. Williams is also considered to be one of the smartest players in the draft according to the Wonderlic Test as he scored a 32, matching the top scores of quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Brian Brohm.

Cons: The grizzly Commodore is not a finished product and would benefit from getting stronger in the lower body. While he has the size, ideally, coaches will want to see Williams improve on his upper body strength also (only 21 bench reps). He could stand to put some time into polishing his technique and improving upon his fundamentals. Coaches have urged Williams to be a more physical brand of blocker and make better use of his hands. He also needs to understand that he must play until the whistle is blown and do a better job of finishing off his blocks. Williams struggled with academics early on in his collegiate career but worked hard to improve his grades.

Overall: Williams did not play during either of his first two years in Nashville (the first as a redshirt). He started at guard as a sophomore before switching to left tackle as a junior. Williams was selected as a First Team All SEC standout—the school’s lone First Team selection on either side of the ball. Although he may not be ready to protect the franchise in his rookie season, he is viewed as a potential left tackle prospect at the next level once he matures both physically and as a player. A pass blocking specialist, Williams has gained more than 60 pounds since arriving on campus, exhibiting a rare combination of size and natural athleticism.

Our View: One of this year's fastest risers among offensive linemen, Williams has the tools to develop into a starting left tackle in the NFL. He has improved each of the past three years and some talent evaluators have catapulted him atop their draft boards after a stellar showing at the Senior Bowl. If a team is looking for someone to step in and start at left tackle in week one, Williams may not be their guy, but he has the potential to be a sensational talent after a season of grooming.