Expert Opinion: OT Connor Williams Profile
Standing at 6’6″ and weighing about 288 pounds, Connor Williams is actually undersized for his position, but make no mistake about his ability as a top-level offensive tackle.
Despite his smaller build and weight, Williams is good at keeping his hands in an inside position and close to defenders to guard against pass-rushers. His movements are fluid and quick enough to prevent defenders from rushing past him in pass blocking situations.
According to NFL.com, Williams is “efficient in space and capable of making adjustments to moving targets. Sticks to blocks with powerful hands for long engagements,” and his closest comparison to current NFL offensive linemen would be Jake Matthews.
Not everything about Williams has an upside. After an outstanding freshman season, Williams hasn’t shown a lot of what made him great from that season. He lost some of his quickness and sat out most of the season after he sustained a knee injury, limiting how much tape scouts can look at while determining his draft stock. Knee injuries are no joke and could prove to knock him down a bit in the draft.
If the tackle position should not work for Williams, a move to the guard position could help. He would have help on the interior with the center and can still show his ability to handle tackle/end stunts from defenders.
Currently projected to be drafted in the mid-first or second round, Williams might be a valuable addition to the Browns. A tackle that may be able to play the guard position will give him flexibility in an area that still needs work on this team. Without future Hall of Famer Joe Thomas able to play for the majority of last season, Joel Bitonio and Spencer Drango held their own, but it is evident that the Browns need to start focusing on life post-Thomas.
Williams can be worth a second-round pick should he slide that far and can be a stop-gap while the team looks for a proven lineman in free agency or a better prospect in future drafts.
