Player Profile: Jesse Williams

Jesse Williams

Height:  6'3
Weight:  323
School:  Alabama
Position:  Defensive Tackle
Ranking:  #2 Nose Tackle
Projection:  2nd Round

Strengths
-Has the ideal size and bulk for the defensive tackle position
-Good speed for his size (4.84 40)
-Quickly fires off the ball and initiates contact
-Scheme flexability.  Can play 3-4 NT and DE or NT in the 4-3
-Displays a strong bull rush that can drive lineman back into quarterback
-Strong anchor.  Very hard to move off spot
-Great motor.  Never gives up on a play. 
-Good tacker.  Won't whiff on the ball carrier
-Football IQ continues to improve.  Finds the ball carrier easily
-Extremely tough and plays with a mean streak

Weaknesses
-No pass rush ability
-Struggles to shed blocks
-Short arms (32") makes it tough to keep lineman off his body
-Inexperienced.  Only started playing football at age 15
-A little too top heavy which causes balance issues
-Lacks good lateral quickness
-Injury concerns (knees, shoulder, concussion)
-Can get too aggressive and over pursue

Summary
In a league where the 3-4 defense is such a common place, prospects who can project to play the nose tackle spot are in demand.  Jesse Williams is one of those players.  Williams comes into the NFL with the experience playing in the 3-4 defense while at Alabama where he played both the defensive end and nose tackle spots.  However his game doesn't translate well to the nose tackle spot in the NFL.  Williams has good speed and initial quickness he uses to attack the offensive line and disrupt.  In one on one situations he is very tough to block.  He has a good bull rush that he uses to push lineman back and has a strong anchor to hold his ground.  However when he faces a double team which he'll see as a 3-4 nose tackle he struggles to disengage blockers and often is seen going down to a knee.  Part of this could be from the lack of lower body strength and short arms.  Williams would be much better off in a 4-3 defense in the nose tackle spot where he will see more one on one battles and can use his straight line speed and quickness to disrupt, rather than take on blockers.  However because the nose tackle spot is so important Williams will probably still be drafted to that position.  Look for a team like Philadelphia, San Diego, or the New York Jets to take a long look at him in the early part of the second round.