Milton Williams spider chart

[darthseinfeld]

In that game Georgia Southern did two things to neutralize Williams:

1. They doubled him almost constantly.

2. They ran to the opposite side of the formation and just had the guy on Williams cut his legs at the snap.

It is pretty clear that GS thought he was the guy to build their offensive game plan around stopping, and that the GS coaches were smart in how they thwarted Tech’s best defender.

I counted 4 plays where he was singled and not cut in that game, and he quickly beat his guy on each of those plays, once getting a big hit on the QB. The other’s they ran away from his side (something they did often).

A few things:

Williams playing a 5-tech DE spot is far from the best use of his talents. With them running a 34 defense, I suppose that is the best place for him (he’s definitely not a 34 OLB or NT)... but he is clearly more suited to a 43 DT position... particularly a 3-technique.

In a 43 scheme like Quinn will run in Dallas, a 3T that can win one-on-one battles is critical to the success of the defense. The 3T will get one-on-one battles with the guard and if that guy can win that battle then it makes the whole defense go. An article I read recently said that the 3T is the most important position in that defense. If you quickly beat the OG and get pressure inside, it makes everything work better for your D.

A player like Williams that has that kind of movement skills and athleticism getting a lot of single blocking would be a real handful for that guard. He has the physical ability to win a lot of those battles. And it isn’t just athleticism... he is also strong.

So, there is a really good reason why Williams didn’t do much in the Georgia Southern game. What he was being asked to do there was selfless, and what the opposing team was doing to him was implemented to neutralize him. Playing 5T DE is nothing like what will happen as a 3T in Quinn’s scheme.

He’s strong against the run, has ridiculous athleticism, plays hard, and by all accounts is smart and coachable. He absolutely is a very good prospect.

If Quinn thinks Williams would excel as a 3T for this defense, I’m down with them taking him at 44. That kind of athlete at that position usually comes off the board very early, so 44 would be more than understandable.

It sure would make me feel a lot better about the 3T position heading into the season. A rehabbing Trystan Hill and a second year Gallimore would look a lot better with Williams there to compete for snaps at that spot. It is such a critical position and having rare athleticism there is never a bad idea.

However, I saw a mock last night that had Williams going before the 44th pick so he might not even be available with Dallas’ second pick.

If he is and the Cowboys choose him then I can’t really blame them.

Can I pay you to make arguments for me

 

[AsthmaField]

Can I pay you to make arguments for me

 

[Malhavoc]

Williams in round 3 I like. Not so much in round 2. The reason I say that is because I think there are going to be better prospects available at 44. I do like the player and he has elite traits. He’s a stout run defender and he’s got a good motor. I don’t know hat we’ve got in Hill. Gallimore I do like. But I think he’s a better prospect than both. We don’t have a great track record with developing these kinds of players. And I don’t know that we like him enough to pull the trigger at 44. But it wouldn’t surprise me.