Why the Slide?: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
By Charlie Campbell, @draftcampbell
Five years ago, we started a series of articles on why certain prospects went undrafted. In that series, I reach out to sources with NFL teams to find out why their organizations passed on drafting a given player, and/or, what were the reasons for other teams to pass on that prospect. We got a lot of positive reader feedback about the series, so we decided to expand in the genre to investigate why some prospects slid in the draft. Three years ago, we started the Why the Slide? series, and this year it is back. Feel free to email me requests for Why the Slide? and Why Undrafted? at [email protected]. I can’t promise to get to all of them, but I will do my best and definitely will respond to the email.
For a lot of the leadup to the 2019 NFL Draft, many in the media projected Williams as the top cornerback for the draft. NFL teams did not hold Williams in that high of regard, but they did feel that he could be a first-round pick given his height, speed, and interception production during his collegiate career. Additionally, the NFL is a passing-driven league and there is always a huge demand for cover corners. Thus, many were surprised when Williams slid 14 picks into the second round.
In speaking to team sources, there were a number of reasons why Williams slid into the second round. First of all, some teams had Williams with a second-round grade, so they felt it was appropriate for him to be available on the second night of the draft. Other team sources said Williams slipped because he is thin-framed and lacks strength. He got dinged for lacking in toughness and tackling, while also having some limitations in coverage. Some team sources felt that Williams was only a fit for press-man coverage and did not feel he could play in zone or off-man coverage in the NFL. All of those issues combined led to Williams slipping out of the first round.
The Cleveland Browns ended Williams’ fall in the second round, and that was a great landing spot for him. The biggest need on the Browns’ roster was for a corner upgrade across from Denzel Ward, so Williams will have the opportunity to compete for playing time right away. Even if Williams does not win a starting spot in base defense, he could be the third corner who comes in for the nickel package, which would mean he would play 70 percent of the snaps. In that role, another corner would go inside to the slot and Williams would man a spot on the outside. Right away, Williams should compete for a starting role with Terrance Mitchell. Given Williams’ draft status, he should get every opportunity to earn a starting role in Cleveland. Another benefit to his landing spot is the Browns having a good, proven defensive coordinator in Steve Wilks to play for. Williams has a great opportunity to have a good career with the Browns.
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