Dallas Cowboys draft review: OLB Brandon Williams

[cowboyjoe]

Now this player to me is a young tony tolbert, take him some time to develop at linebacker, but he has the potential, the link below has the video on it so you can watch brandon if you wish using the link; i think brandon is about a year away since he is still young at 20 years old and hasnt played linebacker too much;

Dallas Cowboys draft review: OLB Brandon Williams
11:29 AM Fri, May 08, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips
http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***/archives/2009/05/dallas-cowboys-draft-review-olb-brandon.html


Selected: Fourth round, 120th overall
Size: 6-2, 254
School: Texas Tech

POSITIVES
He's proved himself as pass rusher, leading the Big 12 with 13 sacks last season. Although his 40 time at the combine was far from impressive (4.95), he has an explosive first step. But he's not a finesse pass rusher. He's effective with the bull-rush and has the power to muscle through blocks when he uses other moves.

NEGATIVES
Wade Phillips said he saw enough from Williams during his Dallas Day workout at Valley Ranch to be confident that he can make the transition to outside linebacker, but Williams will have to prove that he isn't a liability when he drops back into coverage. Williams, who declared for the draft after his junior season against the advice of Tech coaches, also needs to improve significantly against the run to have a chance to ever be anything but a pass-rushing specialist. He has limited experience on special teams.

COWBOY FIT
As is the case with Butler, Williams' role as a rookie will depend in part on whether the Cowboys decide to cut Greg Ellis. Of course, the rookies' performance in training camp and preseason could be the primary factor in that decision. The best-case scenario for Williams is that he's used as a rotational pass-rusher and special teamer as a rookie. However, if the Cowboys have to decide which rookie OLB to put on the 45-man gameday roster, Butler's special teams experience could give him the edge. Williams has the size and athleticism to potentially develop into a starter down the road.

LB COACH REGGIE HERRING
"Brandon is a power guy. He's a little bit thicker than Victor (Butler). He has some power and explosion, but he also has a very natural, instinctive feel for pass rush. And he's got a great first step. That's good. ... You've got to look at the Big 12 and all the run-and-gun stuff, and I think most players naturally are going to be a little bit behind in their run play. We'll see. We can train him to get where he needs to get. He's a physical kid, so we can train and get that."

SCOUTING REPORTS
NFL Draft Scout (CBSSports.com)

DraftCountdown.com

Scouts, Inc. (ESPN Insider)

PREVIOUS INSTALLMENTS
LB Jason Williams
OL Robert Brewster
OLB Victor Butler

 

[Bob Sacamano]

we could use both Butler and Williams on special teams, I hope both are active

 

[cowboyjoe]

we could use both Butler and Williams on special teams, I hope both are active

i think they both will be jerry, that will either push players like bobby carpenter and justin rogers, and why either the cowboys will resign carlos polk or not.

like parcells said, keep churning the bottom of the roster; dont let players stay lackdasial, thinking they have the team made, push them as well as push starters like greg ellis for example;

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Works out pretty well that we got one OLB who's more of a speed and finesse guy, and one who's more of a power player. Williams can back up Spencer (or start over him one day) on the strongside and Butler can back up Ware.

I have to think that it's a good sign they already consider him a strong, physical player considering he's so young and he'll gain tons of strength and probably weight the next couple years as he matures and works in an NFL strength program. This guy could be a real player as early as next year.

I'm loving this pick.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Works out pretty well that we got one OLB who's more of a speed and finesse guy, and one who's more of a power player. Williams can back up Spencer (or start over him one day) on the strongside and Butler can back up Ware.

I have to think that it's a good sign they already consider him a strong, physical player considering he's so young and he'll gain tons of strength and probably weight the next couple years as he matures and works in an NFL strength program. This guy could be a real player as early as next year.

I'm loving this pick.

it was a good pick

 

[jobberone]

Tolbert was 6-6 and 265. Don't see where he compares a great deal to Williams. I actually see Williams as more of an OLB/ILB type. I wonder if he'll eventually end up in more of a Mo than a WOLB. Just wondering and he may be more Dwight Freeney or Harrison-like. He'll have to get bigger IMO. And strong.

 

[Rampage]

Tolbert was 6-6 and 265. Don't see where he compares a great deal to Williams. I actually see Williams as more of an OLB/ILB type. I wonder if he'll eventually end up in more of a Mo than a WOLB. Just wondering and he may be more Dwight Freeney or Harrison-like. He'll have to get bigger IMO. And strong.

huh? they are 2 completely different players.

 

[jobberone]

huh? they are 2 completely different players.

I assume they believe Williams will be a speed rusher off the edge like Freeney or Harrison. And they hope he'll be good enough in the run as well which Harrison is but Freeney is just ok at.

What's so hard to see about that?

 

[cowboyjoe]

Tolbert was 6-6 and 265. Don't see where he compares a great deal to Williams. I actually see Williams as more of an OLB/ILB type. I wonder if he'll eventually end up in more of a Mo than a WOLB. Just wondering and he may be more Dwight Freeney or Harrison-like. He'll have to get bigger IMO. And strong.

no tony tolbert was 6-6 245 coming out of college, texas el paso, he was a linebacker and the cowboys moved him to DE, i remember when we drafted him and the cowboys moved him from linebacker to DE, he had to gain some weight and strength.

 

[Rampage]

I assume they believe Williams will be a speed rusher off the edge like Freeney or Harrison. And they hope he'll be good enough in the run as well which Harrison is but Freeney is just ok at.

What's so hard to see about that?

cause Harrison uses his short stature and his power more than speed imo. Freeney is all about speed.

 

[cowboyjoe]

huh? they are 2 completely different players.

i view both players the same, tolbert was 6-6 245 and played linebacker at college, brandon williams is listed at 6-5 245 to 252 (depends which pro draft magazine you look at) or so, so to me both are real young players and have to relearn their new position. Both had a first great step too.

 

[KingintheNorth]

I'm predicting that in 3 years our bookend pass rushers will be D Ware and Brandon Williams. I think he has more upside than both Anthony Spencer and Victor Butler.

Brandon is this year's Orlando Scandrick. Both declared a year early and probably shouldn't but the result is Dallas gets a talented young player who people may have slept on.