Round 4: Jack Williams, CB, Kent State

[montrose]

http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/jack-williams?id=1585

Pick Analysis: This guy can fly - he has great speed. He ran a 4.32 at his Pro Day and also had very impressive numbers in the cone drill and vertical jump. He's got good size for a corner. Given his athleticism, he could be underrated as a prospect and is a great value at this point in the draft.

Analysis

Positives: Lacks size, but is well-built for a smaller cornerback, showing proportionate muscle definition, tight skin and tapered thighs and calves...Has exceptional quickness and leaping ability, along with good timing to get to the pass at its high point...Has rare timed speed and the ability to start and stop suddenly...Runs with good balance in his stride, sinking his hips and getting a clean break on the ball...Even though he has some tightness in his upper body, he has loose enough hips and good ability to redirect, using an explosive burst to close on plays in front of him...Has a flare about him, playing with good confidence and, despite giving up considerable bulk, he will not hesitate to take on offensive linemen in attempts to blitz...Smart player who shows good zone-coverage awareness and playing instincts, doing a very good job taking plays from the chalkboard to the field...Self-starter who learned every secondary position to become more of a leader on the field...Performs fine in the classroom and also displays field intelligence and is quick to anticipate the throw and when he zeroes in on the ball, he won't shy away from contact in attempts to make the play...Can be physical on the perimeter and is not afraid to put his face in the pile or stick his hat into a blocker's chest in attempts to clog the rush lane...Relentless blitzer who will bounce back quickly when blockers knock him down and has the ability to make plays coming around the corner...Competes well for the ball in flight and is an overall productive player with the natural hands and extension to reach and pluck the ball outside his frame and good hip shake and burst to gain yardage on the interception return...Hard worker in the training room, winning team honors for his weightlifting performances...Has become more of a vocal leader and can read his keys and diagnose plays...Displays good discipline and awareness in play-action and misdirection, showing the acceleration to get back and make plays on deep throws...Played a lot of zone coverage and has good knowledge of his surroundings doing a solid job of anticipating routes...Shows good transition ability out of short backpedals and has good foot quickness to mirror the receiver, even though he doesn't play much man coverage...Productive player in zone defense, showing good awareness and discipline and the ability to ride and read for disguise in zone assignments, with good reaction...Possesses good ball skills, as he has the ability to adjust to balls in flight and come down with the tough interception...A bit of a ball hawk with good makeup speed and range, he is consistent closing on plays in front of him...Shows good acceleration across the field to keep up on shallow and intermediate routes...Has good ability to leap and adjust to balls in flight with his back to the quarterback...Turns and adjusts to the ball with suddenness, showing good ball skills and body control, doing a nice job of reaching up and over a receiver to break up the pass without drawing a flag as the result...Possesses natural hands and can pluck balls out of the air that are high and away from his body...Catches most balls on which he gets two hands...More of a low tackler, but will stick his face in there when the opportunity arises...Good striker who will lay out to bring down the ballcarrier.

Negatives: Has good body lean and upper-body muscle tone, but is not the biggest and he struggles to ward off bigger blockers when working in run force...Could use additional upper-body bulk, but more weight could impact his overall quickness...Was durable until recently, battling ankle and shoulder problems throughout 2007 (shoulder still might not be fully recovered)...Plays defensive "halfback" in the Golden Flashes' system, spending more time in the zone and attacking the ball than in man coverage...Appears to possess only adequate man-coverage skills, as he has the speed to run stride for stride with the receiver, but lacks good technique, as he doesn't always use his hands effectively in attempts to reroute and is susceptible to double moves...His feet are often little tangled at the top of routes in man coverage, and he bails early on deep backpedals (does show good hips to turn and run, though)...Willing, but shows only adequate ability in run support, as he doesn't separate from blockers well (needs to be more active using his hands and must learn that it is best to slip and avoid bigger blockers)...Struggles without the size needed to check elite receivers and while in run support, where he struggles to disengage when blockers get into his body ...Sometimes gets overconfident with his foot speed, allowing a big cushion underneath and he doesn't have the second gear to recover quickly when his man gets behind him...Has had good success on the cornerback blitz at this level of competition, but will likely get engulfed by blockers at the next level (must show better avoidance skills).

Compares To: AARON GLENN-New Orleans...Williams lacks the return ability Glenn showed in his prime, but both rely on quickness , ball reaction and range to make plays on the ball. Williams is a physical tackler, but because of size issues, he can be absorbed by bigger blockers when trying to lend run support. He had a subpar senior campaign due to shoulder problems, but what concerns me most about him is his lack of bulk. What might scare off a few teams is that he showed up weighing 186 at the NFL Combine, but several weeks later at Kent State's Pro Day, he checked in at 177. Williams is well worth the investment of a mid-round draft pick. He brings considerable experience playing the ball and he should match up well vs. slot receivers in a sub package.

[BroncoMan4ever]

so is he another returner, because we burned a 2nd on a guy for that why the hell would we need another corner who at best is number 5 on the depth chart

[BroncoInferno]

Paymah and Foxworth both may leave after this season, so we will need someone ready to compete. It makes sense.

[SoCalBronco]

so is he another returner, because we burned a 2nd on a guy for that why the hell would we need another corner who at best is number 5 on the depth chart

No, this isnt a return pick. It's a corner depth pick. Foxworth and Paymah will be UFA next year and Bly will be like 32. I think its fairly certain that Fox is gone, Paymah might stay, not sure.

[Old Dude]

Possible return threat, but this guy could develop into an outstanding DB in his own right. We have bigger needs, but I think they had this dude targeted for awhile now.

[oubronco]

they left some pretty good DT's on the board for a corner ? I sure was hoping they would address th DT position but seem to be avoiding it I just get why a corner when it's a strength on this team

[thumpc]

We are picking up guys that love football. From Royal on, all these guys are tough, on field coach types who can play!

[Florida_Bronco]

A smaller, blazing fast corner who tackles like a freight train. Sounds like Darrent Williams 2.0...certainly won't complain about that.

[Bronco LB 59]

I don't mind Denver bringing some fresh legs in at CB. I am becoming a little wary of Bly as he ages, and Foxworth isn't the most explosive corner. It's always good to have some youth at corner. It's a position where players' skills fade quicker than you think as they age. Every split-second of speed and quickness counts at corner.

[Kaylore]

He's a nickle corner from day one. As has been mentioned, Foxworth and Paymah are gone. Neither is very good defending the slot, either. Enter Jack Williams. He is like another Darrent Williams except less explosive on returns and a better overall cornerback. Good value.

[SureShot]

No, this isnt a return pick. It's a corner depth pick. Foxworth and Paymah will be UFA next year and Bly will be like 32. I think its fairly certain that Fox is gone, Paymah might stay, not sure.

I like how we are looking two moves ahead. Good depth pick. Hell Belicheat took a QB in third!

[Broncoman13]

Man, some people just don't understand the game... or the draft for that matter.

BMan, do you realize that both Paymah and Foxworth were RFAs this year? Do you realize that Foxworth will be looking for a pay day and to be perfectly honest, he's not that damn good? Did you happen to notice how poor our ST units were last year? Eddie Royal is a good return man, but I don't think he'll earn much money covering kicks/punts. Williams will. He was a team MVP in that department. He could project to gunner though his size may not allow for that. Either way, he's ST help for now and could possibly replace Foxworth as the #3 but likely will replace Paymah as the #4 when Paymah moves up to Nickel.

[montrose]

No, this isnt a return pick. It's a corner depth pick. Foxworth and Paymah will be UFA next year and Bly will be like 32. I think its fairly certain that Fox is gone, Paymah might stay, not sure.

Bingo. I made this comment last week that a position that appears to be a need or doesn't appear to be a need today, will likely change in a year or two. Of Bly, Foxworth and Paymah - I'd be surprised if more than one of them is on team in 2010. Also, the wear and tear on Champ is going to continue to accumulate - so by 2010, once this offense is (hopefully) ready to make a push, the secondary could be a weakness. Williams could help there.

[Atlas]

I don't mind Denver bringing some fresh legs in at CB. I am becoming a little wary of Bly as he ages, and Foxworth isn't the most explosive corner. It's always good to have some youth at corner. It's a position where players' skills fade quicker than you think as they age. Every split-second of speed and quickness counts at corner.

Paymah keeps getting better and better while it looks like Foxworth didn't improve as whole lot from his rookie season. I wouldn't be surprised if Paymah passes him on the depth chart this year. Williams is a good value pick so you really can't hate it, and he is a burner even faster than Royal.

[Killericon]

This is a patience pick...Smart, but dissatisfying.

[Crushisback]

The negativity on this board is killing me. Let the draft play out and judge the picks when they get on the field. I'm sure nobody did back flips over the likes of T.D. , Tom Nalen, Brandon Marshall...........

Just chill out a little, everybody they draft right now is for develpmental depth.

[Broncoman13]

5 picks to go!

Okam
Washington (chauncey)
Brooks
and two for the coaches to throw away! :D

Wouldn't mind if they took a shot at Schmitt or Hillis either!

[Dedhed]

We are picking up guys that love football. From Royal on, all these guys are tough, on field coach types who can play!

That's what I'm loving too. We're getting football players, not guys who look god in shorts at the combine. Mayock said this was one of his favorite players coming out because of his toughness and play-making ability. Said he's got elite agility and speed, but what sets him apart is the way he tackles and gets involved in run support.

[Dutch]

Loving it so far. I'd like to see Schmitt and Coutu. Special teams would upgraded in a huge way.

[R8R H8R]

He's a nickle corner from day one. As has been mentioned, Foxworth and Paymah are gone. Neither is very good defending the slot, either. Enter Jack Williams. He is like another Darrent Williams except less explosive on returns and a better overall cornerback. Good value.

Initially, this was my first head scratcher of the draft. I thought safety was more of a need than CB. However, after reading his bio and thinking about it, D Will's (God rest his soul) smiling face popped into my head, and I got it. I like the pick. The Broncos are looking a couple of years away when Foxy and Paymah may be UFA's.

The other thing I like is the FO is just getting football players. Guys who love the game and have proven they can play.

[MechanicalBull]

they left some pretty good DT's on the board for a corner ? I sure was hoping they would address th DT position but seem to be avoiding it I just get why a corner when it's a strength on this team

Shanny believes he got his DT in Robertson a few days ago and now with Paymah and Foxworth possibly gone we needed to sure up the secondary as well.

I never get it why not only Bronco fans but fans in general feel their team drafted bad when their player or position hasn't been picked. So far we have addressed a lot of need at various positions and added depth for the future as well.

Clady is projected to be a premier left tackle and will protect our franchise QB. Royal is a return man first and WR second but has great power and speed to turn small gains into big ones and will help out our field position after tremendously instead of always starting out on 10 and having a 90 yd drive to score. Lichtensteiger is a zone blocker and just like Clady he knows the scheme and Nalen isn't getting any younger. Williams was said to have been a 2-3 rd pick before an ankle injury and has great speed and ball skills so he could turn out to a decent CB and get a lot of playing time if/when Paymah and/or Foxworth leave.

[Drek]

He's fast, he likes to hit, and he spent his whole time in college targetting and running down ball carriers due to how he was used in Kent State's system.

Screams leader of the kick coverage wedge to me. He'll be the first guy downfield and he'll be looking to take some heads off.

[Broncos4Life]

A smaller, blazing fast corner who tackles like a freight train. Sounds like Darrent Williams 2.0...certainly won't complain about that.

Thats exactly what was going through my head as I was reading the article.

[footstepsfrom#27]

This is why I just took a nap. It's less frustrating if you wake up and find out what just happened instead of sitting there hoping for what you want...LOL I'm OK with the pick but not that thrilled. He's insurance for Foxworth, I get it...I'd rather cross that bridge when/if it comes instead of drafting for it now...especially since we're talking about competition for the 3rd corner. There were some other players I'd much rather have had still on the board. It also sounds like despite his speed he's a project when it comes to being a man coverage guy. He does remind me of D-Will with some of the meausrables. I hope he's as good.

[cmhargrove]

Sign me up. I like this kid. He looks very confident, good build, and likes to hammer in run support.

Foxworth, Paymah, and Bly could all be question marks next season. Great value, I like the kid. And, if they played Foxworth at Safety, why not a kid with better speed that can really lay the wood?

He could have value on several fronts. I like it.

[Cito Pelon]

Dud.

[mhgaffney]

The more I learn about our 4th, 5th and even our 6th round pick the more excited I am.

All of these guys are potential starters -- not just back ups. I don't see a wasted pick -- in this draft -- so far.

[lostknight]

Guy definitly looks like the second coming of D-Wil.

[Man-Goblin]

Damn. Jack Williams is, um, jacked.

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site36/2008/0427/20080427__20080428_B08_SP28WILLIAMS~p1.JPG

[BroncoInferno]

This is why I just took a nap. It's less frustrating if you wake up and find out what just happened instead of sitting there hoping for what you want...LOL I'm OK with the pick but not that thrilled. He's insurance for Foxworth, I get it...I'd rather cross that bridge when/if it comes instead of drafting for it now...especially since we're talking about competition for the 3rd corner. There were some other players I'd much rather have had still on the board. It also sounds like despite his speed he's a project when it comes to being a man coverage guy. He does remind me of D-Will with some of the meausrables. I hope he's as good.

He's special teams demon and will help immediately in that area, which is part of what you're looking for on the second day. He'll compete for a nickle spot in '09.

[epicSocialism4tw]

He's a nickle corner from day one. As has been mentioned, Foxworth and Paymah are gone. Neither is very good defending the slot, either. Enter Jack Williams. He is like another Darrent Williams except less explosive on returns and a better overall cornerback. Good value.

Better overall corner? Darrent was exceptional. He was outstanding in run support, a heady/smart player, and a playmaker in pass defense.

Dont sell Darrent short.

I wouldnt expect a rook to come in and make those of us who havent forgotten him already forget the hole that he left in the defense.

[maher_tyler]

A smaller, blazing fast corner who tackles like a freight train. Sounds like Darrent Williams 2.0...certainly won't complain about that.

Exactly what i was thinking...also Champ and Bly aren't getting any younger..i think it was a good pick in the 4th round!!

[Kaylore]

Better overall corner? Darrent was exceptional. He was outstanding in run support, a heady/smart player, and a playmaker in pass defense.

Dont sell Darrent short.

I wouldnt expect a rook to come in and make those of us who havent forgotten him already forget the hole that he left in the defense.
Darrent wasn't very good. I know it seems cruel to talk about his deficiencies as a player considering he's passed on, but he was picked on excessively his final year with us. He was not "smart and heady" as you suggest. Quite the opposite, where he would trust his instincts over the assigned coverage. Receivers ran the comeback and hook and go against him pretty much at will. He couldn't decide which was which and we were burned as a result.

There is no reason to believe he couldn't have improved. I feel terrible for what happened to him. He was a great guy and a fun player. Let's not pretend he was something he wasn't, though.

[Punisher]

Jack Williams is a great pick up,I think this means Foxy won't be back after this season.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Darrent wasn't very good. I know it seems cruel to talk about his deficiencies as a player considering he's passed on, but he was picked on excessively his final year with us. He was not "smart and heady" as you suggest. Quite the opposite, where he would trust his instincts over the assigned coverage. Receivers ran the comeback and hook and go against him pretty much at will. He couldn't decide which was which and we were burned as a result.

There is no reason to believe he couldn't have improved. I feel terrible for what happened to him. He was a great guy and a fun player. Let's not pretend he was something he wasn't, though.


While you harp on his deficiencies in hook coverage, the guy excelled at many other aspects of the game including disguising and executing corner blitzes, run support, reading/jumping routes for picks, knocking down passes, etc. Darrent was a solid player. Every player has deficiencies. No need to misrepresent Darrent because of a few mistakes. He was a 2nd year player for crying out loud.

[Hulamau]

A smaller, blazing fast corner who tackles like a freight train. Sounds like Darrent Williams 2.0...certainly won't complain about that.

In more ways that one hes like D Will! Got the same last name, super fast, smaller ( though an inch and a half taller) strong as an ox and a hard hitter.

Check out this photo of his guns ... and he plays the same position and can return punts too! ... a lot of serendipity there!

[bpc]

Darrent wasn't very good. I know it seems cruel to talk about his deficiencies as a player considering he's passed on, but he was picked on excessively his final year with us. He was not "smart and heady" as you suggest. Quite the opposite, where he would trust his instincts over the assigned coverage. Receivers ran the comeback and hook and go against him pretty much at will. He couldn't decide which was which and we were burned as a result.

There is no reason to believe he couldn't have improved. I feel terrible for what happened to him. He was a great guy and a fun player. Let's not pretend he was something he wasn't, though.

THis post is a joke.

He was in his second season. How would you know if he wasn't going to improve? He had 4 INT's including a game winner against a very good Baltimore team and all this without a very good defense line. You think he was any worse last year vs. what Dre Bly did for us? Bly is considered across the league as a pro bowl corner and I couldn't tell the difference between the two.

D-Will could have developed into more than what he was. He was a 2nd year corner who had a bad game against Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne... there are a lot of corners that have bad games against them... along with a game against the Chargers at SD. This doesn't mean you string the game up and call him a bust. Did you hang Champ up after Chad Johnson burned him for a few TD's his first year in Denver?

I think you are way off base with this evaluation.

[bpc]

By the way, i've only seen one corner fill the running lane faster than Champ Bailey and that was D-Will knowing damn well with his size, he could get laid out.

D-Will had a chance to be a very good two way corner despite his size. Not only that, it's easy to see when D-Will passed away, so did the heart on defense.

[Beej]

Some good stuff in this game footage. VTech vs. Kent State.

0:25 corner blitz - Jack Williams
2:02 punt return - Eddie Royal
3:04 QB sack - Carlton Powell
3:38 forced fumble - Jack Williams

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYvDYfqfLwo&NR=1

[cmhargrove]

Some good stuff in this game footage. VTech vs. Kent State.

0:25 corner blitz - Jack Williams
2:02 punt return - Eddie Royal
3:04 QB sack - Carlton Powell
3:38 forced fumble - Jack Williams

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYvDYfqfLwo&NR=1

The corner blitz was sweet. I hope we have a few for San Diego's dork wonder.

The Royal PR was sweet. That guy is a natural. He has great vision to the hole and has sneaky smooth speed. I am liking this kid.

[SouthStndJunkie]

The Broncos will be elated with Jack Williams.....he is the kind of player you want to draft.

Love the pick. Got to see him play a lot, as I live in MAC country.

[Kaylore]

While you harp on his deficiencies in hook coverage, the guy excelled at many other aspects of the game including disguising and executing corner blitzes, run support, reading/jumping routes for picks, knocking down passes, etc. Darrent was a solid player. Every player has deficiencies. No need to misrepresent Darrent because of a few mistakes. He was a 2nd year player for crying out loud.
It was more than a few deficiencies. The guy was picked on and abused. He had great ball skills but he also was known for leaning too heavily on his instincts at the expense of the coverage called. He may have grown out of that.

THis post is a joke.

He was in his second season. How would you know if he wasn't going to improve?

Um, what are you talking about?

There is no reason to believe he couldn't have improved.
I don't know where you got that he couldn't improve.
You think he was any worse last year vs. what Dre Bly did for us? Bly is considered across the league as a pro bowl corner and I couldn't tell the difference between the two.
This isn't really an argument. You're essentially saying one guy has a reputation for being a probowler and Darrent looked the same as Bly to you. That's not even logical.

But yes, Bly did play better.
D-Will could have developed into more than what he was. He was a 2nd year corner who had a bad game against Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne... there are a lot of corners that have bad games against them... along with a game against the Chargers at SD. This doesn't mean you string the game up and call him a bust. Did you hang Champ up after Chad Johnson burned him for a few TD's his first year in Denver?

I think you are way off base with this evaluation.
I think you're getting emotional here. Where did I call him a bust? I've said the opposite of what you're arguing. I knew people would react this way. Suffice to say that I feel this player will be better than Darrent. That's all I'm going to say about this.

[dsmoot]

THis post is a joke.

He was in his second season. How would you know if he wasn't going to improve? He had 4 INT's including a game winner against a very good Baltimore team and all this without a very good defense line. You think he was any worse last year vs. what Dre Bly did for us? Bly is considered across the league as a pro bowl corner and I couldn't tell the difference between the two.

D-Will could have developed into more than what he was. He was a 2nd year corner who had a bad game against Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne... there are a lot of corners that have bad games against them... along with a game against the Chargers at SD. This doesn't mean you string the game up and call him a bust. Did you hang Champ up after Chad Johnson burned him for a few TD's his first year in Denver?

I think you are way off base with this evaluation.

I think you better read his post again. He didn't say he would not improve. He didn't say he was a bust. I concur with some of what both of you are saying. However, it was very evident. Darrent had a ways to go. He did bite very easily at times. The jury was still out how much further improvement we were going to see. He was simply a 2cd year corner who showed promise not someone destined for the Pro Bowl. I echo the comment on how much he was taken advantage of because of his height. Yes, I believe that his value NOW seems to be much greater than what he played to.

[footstepsfrom#27]

I had an interesting discussion this morning with two guys who identified themselves as Cleveland Brown fans when I told them I was from Denver. They had some well rehearsed sarcasm about giving us some more D-line guys they wanted to dump. Then I found out one of these dudes went to Kent State and I asked about Williams. Both of them just gushed about him and told me that we got a great player, and they were hoping prior to the draft that the Browns would take him.