With the 50th overall selection, the Dallas Cowboys selected offensive guard Connor Williams from Texas. Williams is just the second Texas player the team has drafted in the past 20 years (Geoff Swaim in 2015). In 2016, Williams was a
second-team All-American as a sophomore for the Longhorns, starting 11 games at left tackle.
Williams fills an immediate need for Dallas. He will likely walk in and be the team's starter at left guard. He has the athleticism to get to the second level and make blocks with ease. His movement skills jump off the screen, and he never overextends. He plays with an edge and is one of the best finishers in this class.
This pick also makes sense because of his experience at left tackle. With Tyron Smith's back-injury concerns, Williams could slide to left tackle and be a serviceable starter. He gives the offensive line even more flexibility.
His biggest weakness is that he doesn't have elite arm length (33"), and that is likely why he slid. If he had above-average arm length, he could have been a top-15 selection. He also has injury concerns (knee), as he played just five games in 2017.
If he can get back to the way he played in 2016, the Cowboys just stole a potential Pro Bowl guard in the middle of the second round, adding to their team's biggest strength.
GRADE: A
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2772163-2018-dallas-cowboys-draft-tracker
The more I watched
Connor Williams play, the more he grew on me.
The first time I ran through his tape, I put a little too much weight on some of his “bad” plays, when he was beaten in one-on-one pass rush situations. The more I paid attention, however, the more I realized they were the exceptions.
Williams has some of the best footwork for a tackle that I have seen in a while.
Generally when he
did get beat, it was just because the pass rusher avoided Williams’ hands. But
Williams was usually still in front of the guy because of those quick feet.
Williams had a smooth and consistent kick-step on the snap of the football, which allowed him to intercept even the widest pass rushers, while also letting him quickly change directions to shut down counter moves inside.
https://www.sbnation.com/2018/4/11/...t-2018-scouting-report-texas-offensive-tackle
