Steelers Potential Draft Pick Profiles: Chris Williams

by cgolden on Mar 11, 2008 11:19 AM EDT in News

A look at potential draft picks by the Pittsburgh Steelers in next April's draft continues with a profile of Chris Williams, LT Vanderbilt.

The Vanderbilt product has made a big rise up draft boards since his junior year. The 6'6" 315 lb LT had an impressive senior campaign starting all twelve games and finishing with the highest blocking grade (85.7%) of any down lineman in the SEC. Williams started the past two years at left tackle after splitting time between tackle and guard his sophomore year. In his two seasons as a starter, Williams gave up just two sacks while registering over 180 knockdowns and 21 touchdown resulting blocks. As you might expect, Williams got better by registering more knockdowns and a better grade each year. Despite Williams outstanding play, the Commodore offense wasn't among NCAA leaders averaging just 326 yards per game.

Williams is thought of as a 'finesse' left tackle and is considered by many to be one of the best, if not the best pass blocking tackle in this years draft. This might intrigue the Steelers, who could be interested in drafting linemen that are more skilled in the passing game than as maulers in the running game. He has really good foot work and is at his best against speed rushers, which we know there are plenty in the gauntlet that is the SEC. The knock on Williams though is that bull rushers gave him some problems. Williams will have to get stronger to become an above average run blocker. Much stronger. He only threw up 21 reps on the bench at the combine (hard to believe 5'10 182lb Eddie Royal did 3 more). He did get better in the running game during his senior season so there are signs that he has the ability. There are some questions about his mental toughness as well, at least to some. According to at least one source, Williams was distracted and played poorly following an altercation with another athlete during a practice session at the Senior Bowl.

I'd imagine that pro scouts and GMs will have a wide range of opinions on Chris Williams. Some might covet his natural ability in the passing game. Others might scoff at his lack of strength. For the Steelers, Williams could be a nice fit, though a project early on. While his lack of strength is a concern, he should benefit greatly from a pro weight room. With the change in philosophy in the Steeler offense, Williams' better attributes might be desireable. After all, it might not be a bad idea to have a tackle that excels at guarding Ben's blindside.

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Williams probably gone by 23

Reading the results of the combine and some of the resulting FA signings (very few OTs signed so far), it's looking very doubtful that Williams or Otah will be available when the Steelers pick. Denver, Chicago, Houston and Philadelphia are all in need of O-line help and Carolina and Washington could be going that way depending on who is available. Brandon Albert's stock is going to rise, too, though he is a reasonable bet to be around when the Steelers pick.

Here is a link http://blogs.chron.com/fantasyfootball/ to a guy who I think is one of the most knowledgeable analysts about the draft. He's based in Houston, is a former pro player (in Canada) and has great contacts with agents, scouts and NFL assistant coaching staffs. He has Albert going No. 12 overall to Denver, and all five of the top O-line prospects (Long, Clady, Williams, Otah and Albert) taken by the 15th overall selection. His prediction for the Steelers is WR Devin Thomas, which I would disagree with because DL Kentwan Balmer would be a better pick at that point, but otherwise his analysis of the first round is excellent.

by steeler lifer on Mar 11, 2008 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

mock

Boy that mock was depressing. If it really played out like that I hope they just trade down and try and get Baker (who was much higher before the Senior Bowl and Combine) or Cherilus, or in a dream world they could trade down and get both.

I watched Thomas in MSU's bowl game and was pretty unimpressed. Thier QB didn't help him much but he also muffed two punts in the fourth quarter when they were desperately trying to get back in the game.

"You know who I want? William Wallace. That's who I'm looking for" - Bengals defensive line coach when asked who he was looking for in the draft

by cgolden on Mar 11, 2008 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

That mock could be close

Yes golden, that mock sort of knocks the wind out of my sails too in regard to the premium O-line guys. But overall I think that draft reflects the very real possibility that our position puts us outside the premium five O-linemen in the first round, and that the next group of Baker-Nicks-Cherilus-Collins could all be gone before our second-round pick. It's interesting that Baker's stock has seemed to drop for no obvious reason. He had a good Senior Bowl. Perhaps he still merits consideration at No. 23.

Trading down will not be easy. Someone else has to want to move up. A few teams with extra draft picks have already traded them away (Buffalo traded away extra third and fifth-round picks a week ago). Colbert still has a lot of work to do with contracts and FAs and then the draft will be a huge challenge.

by steeler lifer on Mar 11, 2008 8:10 PM EDT reply actions

Mike Pollack

I would love to see the Steelers trade out of the first round, pick up a few extra picks, and grab Mike Pollack C Arizona St. 6035/301 4.98/40. Dennis Erickson said he is the best offensive lineman he has ever coached. Pollack has played center and guard.

Dennis

by belvalle55 on Mar 11, 2008 9:31 PM EDT reply actions

Mock

Yeah, that mock is pretty brutal until we see that Derrick Harvey fell to us. If that happens, I say screw the 3-4, we're hiring Jim Johnson. If we drafted Harvey then picked up one of several good OL's left in the 2-3rd rounds, I'd be ecstatic. We'd still be thin at DT, but I could put up with that. He could even play Keisel's position in the 3-4 some.

I think we have a very good position in this draft. Chances are one of the top OL's will fall to us, but if they don't, we'll still be able to pick up a top DL or CB.

We really only need one solid OL in the first few rounds. It would be great to get Albert, but he probably wouldn't start right away anyway. We need depth and youth on the OL, but we can still get that after the first round. If everyone takes OT's in the first, fewer will take them in the later rounds, meaning the depth should still last through 3 rounds.

by BadMaafala on Mar 12, 2008 10:01 AM EDT reply actions