Chris Williams, 2008 NFL Draft Prospects

Offensive Tackle Senior Vanderbilt Ht: 6’ 6" Wt: 315 lbs. Speed: 5.07 Strengths: Size, Agility, Reach/Wingspan and Feet Weaknesses: Soft Body, Power and Tenacity Scouting Report by Daryl Breault

            The 2008 NFL Draft will be one of the strongest in years at the offensive tackle position, a good 4 or 5 tackles could see first round selections this year.  Williams is in the 2^nd tier of tackles behind Jake Long and Ryan Clady but looks like future LT material.  The senior was the most consistent lineman in the SEC throughout 2008, finishing with an 85.7% blocking grade, the leagues best percentage.  Williams posted 102 knockdowns and only allowed 1 sack all year.  His standout 2008 season earned him All-SEC honors, the first Commodore lineman to do that since 1984. 

            At 315 pounds, Williams possesses excellent body control and has the frame to get bigger and stronger, as he looks a little soft around his mid-section.  A year at guard helped to teach him how to properly use his hands and excellent wingspan.  He can mirror edge rushers and push them past the pocket.  His reach generally allows him to lock on before the opponent and gives him an initial advantage in gaining leverage in pass protection.  Excels at redirecting rushers.  Moves very well for his size over short distances, but can get out of control if not lost when blocking in space.  Gives great effort in the weight room and during practice and is self-starter. 

            Williams is more of a finesse blocker despite what his knockdown totals would otherwise indicate.  Many of his deficiencies stem from his inability to translate his agility to the second level.  While he is motivated, his light flickers sometimes on the field and he doesn’t always play with great intensity.  Could take the next step towards greatness if he develops a killer instinct but that’s a tough one for lineman to suddenly create within themselves; if you don’t have it in college, chances are you wont have it in the pros.  As well, he sometimes has mental lapses.  He just needs to play like pants are on fire more often to be considered elite.  May have to play guard to start but should develop into a starter at tackle.

            Vandy seems to be a hot school all of a sudden.  Williams, Earl Bennett and Jonathon Goff are three of my favorite prospects this year.  All three tested much better than expected at the combine and have proven to have the athletic ability to back up their excellent play on the field. 

            True left tackles can be hard to come by and with so many prospects projecting to the position we could see a run on lineman during this year’s draft.  Williams was a major part of the Commodores 326.6 yards/game average in 2007 as the o-line gave up only 17 sacks all season and 19 in 2006.  Solid against the run and the pass, Williams will most likely come off the board in the top half of the 1^st round.