Anatomy of a prospect: Penn State WR Derrick Williams

[cowboyjoe]

Anatomy of a prospect: Penn State WR Derrick Williams
11:00 AM Wed, Apr 08, 2009 | Permalink
Rick Gosselin E-mail News tips

Wide receiver is generally not an instant impact position in the NFL. There were 35 selected in the 2008 draft and only one finished in the league's Top 30 in receiving -- Denver's Eddie Royal with 91 catches. He was a second rounder by the Broncos. Philadelphia's DeSean Jackson was the only other season-long starter at wide receiver from the Class of 2008.

So it helps if a receiver entering the NFL can offer more than just an ability to catch the football. Contributions on special teams -- either covering or returning kicks -- help a rookie pay off a team's initial investment in him.

That's what makes Penn State wide receiver Derrick Williams attractive in the 2009 draft. A four-year starter at wideout, Williams caught 161 passes in his college career. But he's also one of the elite return men in this draft with five career touchdowns, three on punts and two on kickoffs. He was the only player in the nation last season to score touchdowns on a reception, run, kickoff return and punt return.

Williams projects as a mid-round pick and could have an impact on an NFL team in 2009 without ever catching a pass. Versatility translates into value on draft day.

 

[SDogo]

Williams could be there in the 3rd and I would not be upset at all if that was the Cowboys pick. If not I would love to have Deon Butler in the 6th or 7th. Yes I'm a PSU homer but I really want one of those guys.

 

[cowboyjoe]

Williams could be there in the 3rd and I would not be upset at all if that was the Cowboys pick. If not I would love to have Deon Butler in the 6th or 7th. Yes I'm a PSU homer but I really want one of those guys.

i like johnny know or mike thomas better, from what ive seen on them on film,

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Didn't he run a 4.6 or something? And he doesn't look fast even in his highlights if you ask me.

 

[masomenos]

Didn't he run a 4.6 or something? And he doesn't look fast even in his highlights if you ask me.

Sheesh, I haven't even been following the draft and I know this :

I guess he had the flu and bronchitis when he ran at the combine, his pro day time was like 4.39 or something I think.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Sheesh, I haven't even been following the draft and I know this :

I guess he had the flu and bronchitis when he ran at the combine, his pro day time was like 4.39 or something I think.

That hurt, man!

Eh, even with the flu I can't see how he'd go from linebacker fast to sub-4.4 fast. But then I'd buy beachfront property in Nebraska before I'd believe a Pro Day time.

He just doesn't look that fast in the highlights to me. And under 200 lbs? I'll pass.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

That hurt, man!

Eh, even with the flu I can't see how he'd go from linebacker fast to sub-4.4 fast. But then I'd buy beachfront property in Nebraska before I'd believe a Pro Day time.

He just doesn't look that fast in the highlights to me. And under 200 lbs? I'll pass.

they're hand-timed by the team coaches of the player, and electronically timed by NFL scouts, the results posted are usually accurate

 

[Chocolate Lab]

they're hand-timed by the team coaches of the player, and electronically timed by NFL scouts, the results posted are usually accurate

Then why are the almost always less, sometimes way less, than the combine?

A lot of these times you read are the lowest that any scout got, so the website/player agent can make them sound more spectacular.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Then why are the almost always less, sometimes way less, than the combine?

A lot of these times you read are the lowest that any scout got, so the website/player agent can make them sound more spectacular.

training

comfort being in a familiar environment

some players don't increase their times too