STRONG POINTS

Williams is an excellent athlete who has shown the ability to completely take over games when he attacks the play. He has the rare combination of size, strength, athleticism and playing speed that few NFL defensive ends have. He has playing strength to drive offensive tackles backward very easily when he bull rushes and has shown the ability to disengage and get the sack. He has flashed the ability to burst off the ball to beat the offensive tackle around the corner and, after his first two steps upfield, he has the ability to plant and explode through the inside shoulder of the offensive tackle. When he gets close to the ball carrier or quarterback, he has an explosive closing burst to finish the play. He has the playing speed to chase down running backs in backside pursuit when he is hustling and chasing hard after the ball carrier.

WEAKNESSES

Williams is a huge defensive end, so despite his topnotch athleticism, he will never be the explosive-off-the-ball speed/edge rusher that Freeney is. Williams can beat offensive tackles around corner, but not as easily as Freeney can. He needs to become more consistent getting off the ball explosively every snap. He does not always chase hard after the ball in backside pursuit; he just pulls up and quits chasing occasionally. He does not protect legs from low/cut blocks well and can be slowed down by them.

POSITIONAL FACTORS

Grade Category Comments/Description 6.5 Read & React Once the play starts, he consistently reads and reacts to the play very fast, but is inconsistent off the ball. 6.0 Initial Quickness He can be very good -- he's usually good -- but is a beat late moving at the snap occasionally. 8.0 Play Strength He is a physical force at the point of attack who can hold his ground vs. run blocks and can bull rush the tackle backward. 6.5 Use of Hands Excellent variety of pass-rush moves, but needs to use his hands better to protect his legs from low/cut blocks. 6.5 Shed Blocker His hand use and playing strength enable him to consistently shed, get free and make/disrupt plays. 7.0 Run at Him He always slows run to his side and consistently either makes the play or forces it back to the inside. 6.0 Pursuit/Range When he chases hard, he is excellent in pursuit, but at times he quits chasing after the ball on plays away. 7.0 Tackling His long arms, strength and competitiveness help him consistently make tackle/sack when he is near the play. 6.5 Closing Burst Once he defeats the blocker, he has an explosive closing burst to the ball to finish plays consistently. 7.5 Power Rush When he is aggressive, he can jolt and drive an offensive tackle backward like he is on skates right into the quarterback's lap. 6.5 Speed Rush Not always consistent bursting off the ball, but he has very good moves to beat offensive tackles with speed/quickness. 6.5 Errors He does not make mental errors, but needs to become more consistent exploding off ball.

ATHLETIC ABILITY	Section Grade: 7.0
Williams is an excellent athlete for a defensive end, which allowed him to be tremendously productive lining up at defensive end and tackle. He has very quick feet to burst off the ball, the speed to beat the offensive tackle around the corner and an explosive closing burst to finish the sack. His foot quickness combined with his remarkable agility and balance let him change directions in a flash and he can beat the offensive tackle inside fast. His very quick hands and feet enable him to defeat the offensive tackle with very quick pass-rush moves. He has the natural flexibility to bend his knees and play with leverage. He can jolt and drive offensive tackles backward when he bull rushes and can stack the point of attack vs. run blocks. Overall, Williams has all the athleticism and physical tools to make an impact on every snap and, when he plays with a sense of urgency, he can be a dominant defensive lineman.
Q.A.B. Quick Feet C.O.D. Flexibility Coordination 7.0 6.5 7.0 6.5 7.0

COMPETITIVENESS	Section Grade: 6.0
Williams is a very tough football player who has consistently shown a willingness to play through pain. He injured his hand during one game, went to the sideline for treatment and returned a few series later and finished the game. On the most important downs, Williams showed a real knack for attacking the play and consistently disrupting/making plays. His overall production was very good, but it varied greatly from outstanding to adequate and nearly always was tied directly to his level of aggressiveness. He has consistently displayed a commitment to the team by lining up all over the defensive line and rotating in and out of games to stay fresh for the good of the team. He is generally a very competitive player, but on runs away, he does not hustle and chase after the ball consistently hard in backside pursuit. He just stops chasing at times.
Toughness Clutch Play Production Consistency Team Player Pride/Quit 6.5 7.0 6.5 5.5 6.0 5.5

MENTAL ALERTNESS	Section Grade: 6.0
Williams is a very smart football player, which is clear when you see his pass-rush moves, his hands/technique vs. run blocks and his consistently smart play all over the defensive line. He has very good football instincts, which help him to consistently find the ball very fast and, when he is focused, he can react to the snap and explode off the ball, but at times he does not consistently react fast to the snap. He generally does a very good job of maintaining his focus on every snap, which is what allows him to consistently make/disrupt plays, but he needs to improve his concentration before the snap so that he can react to the snap and burst off the ball more consistently.
Learn/Retain Instincts/Reactions Concentration 6.5 6.0 6.5

STRENGTH/EXPLOSION	Section Grade: 8.0
Williams has rare size for a defensive end and it is even more remarkable that he has the athleticism he does. He has been an extremely durable defender at North Carolina State, and with his size, strength, athleticism and toughness, he will be a durable NFL defensive end. He has very good natural explosiveness. When he is focused, he can burst off the ball and beat the offensive tackle around the corner -- he has an explosive closing burst to the quarterback. He can bend his knees and explosively jolt the offensive tackle and drive him backward into the backfield to pressure the quarterback and disrupt running plays in the backfield. He has excellent playing strength for a defensive end, which allows him to push around and physically dictate the play -- even when he gets up high, he has the strength to control the offensive tackle at the point of attack.
Body Type Durability Explosion Play Strength 9.0 7.5 6.0 8.0