Chris Williams - OT - Vanderbilt - Does he fit the Patriots Scheme?

[DaBruinz]

A lot of people have been mentioning Chris Williams as an option for RT in the 1st round for the Pats if they trade down.

Personally, I don't see it.

1) Not agile
2) has problems pulling on screens and getting to the 2nd level for blocks
3) has issues setting the edge
4) Not very physical.

I just don't see how William's skill set and playing style fits the Pats zone blocking run scheme. And, not being physical, makes him prone to getting beat on the speed rushes from the edges. Which is where the Pats got beat in the SB.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

It depends on what you are looking for.

If you want a tackle that excels in pass protection and will protect Tom Brady and give him time to throw the ball, then he is the best in this draft. (Yes better than J Long as a pass protector)

If you want a road grader that comes off the ball with a flat back and incredible pop and explosion and is excellent with the hands, then you have the wrong man for the job.

No OT in this draft is warts free.

 

[DaBruinz]

It depends on what you are looking for.

If you want a tackle that excels in pass protection and will protect Tom Brady and give him time to throw the ball, then he is the best in this draft. (Yes better than J Long as a pass protector)

If you want a road grader that comes off the ball with a flat back and incredible pop and explosion and is excellent with the hands, then you have the wrong man for the job.

No OT in this draft is warts free.

Well, I question whether Williams is even the best pass blocker. As for "road grader" isn't that sort of the antithesis of zone blocking OT?

For the zone blocking run schemes, I believe you need a fast, agile player who can move from one player to another, passing off the defensive player accordingly. Williams is neither fast nor agile. He has issues keeping the edge from being set and has problems getting out on pulls and screens.

 

[jeffbiologist]

I think one thing the pats almost insist on is versatility. There are too many OL in this draft that can only play one OL position, which makes it alot more obvious who the pats would target--multi-positional OLer Albert.

 

[BradyManny]

For the zone blocking run schemes, I believe you need a fast, agile player who can move from one player to another, passing off the defensive player accordingly. Williams is neither fast nor agile. He has issues keeping the edge from being set and has problems getting out on pulls and screens.

It's hard to argue with his production though, and how few sacks he gave up. I wouldn't mind adding Wililams in a trade-down, stick him at right tackle and he'd be great at protecting Brady. It's only my impression, but athleticism is needed more at the guard positions in our system.

Clady seems to have the best of both worlds for the Pats, the athleticism, great pass protector. I normally don't put much stock in Wonderlic scores, but his was pretty poor, and that is a bit disconcerting, enough that he moved down or off my board b/c of it.

Albert in the middle of first round would be fine by me, but there's a bunch of guards (and some tackles) in rounds 3 and on that have the strengths the Pats look for in OL, athleticism, zone blocking. The guy moving up the charts who I am now interested in is Duane Brown.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Well, I question whether Williams is even the best pass blocker./QUOTE]

Show me another tackle in this draft that has played against the likes of a Harvey, Moss, Dorsey, Jackson, Howard, Gilberry and Groves over the past two seasons and given up 2 sacks.
(PS: J Long gave up two sacks to Gholston in 1 game last season.)

Show me another OT in this draft that is a knee bender and can mirror without straight legs?

Mission nearly impossible: Name 1 quality Defensive Lineman that Clady has played against in the past 2 years.

 

[DaBruinz]

Well, I question whether Williams is even the best pass blocker./QUOTE]

Show me another tackle in this draft that has played against the likes of a Harvey, Moss, Dorsey, Jackson, Howard, Gilberry and Groves over the past two seasons and given up 2 sacks.
(PS: J Long gave up two sacks to Gholston in 1 game last season.)

Show me another OT in this draft that is a knee bender and can mirror without straight legs?

Mission nearly impossible: Name 1 quality Defensive Lineman that Clady has played against in the past 2 years.

How about you take your head out of your arse for a minute and stop putting words in people's mouths. I never said word one about Clady. I just doubt how "great" you claim Williams is. If he was so great, he'd be the hands-down top ranked OT and he's not.

Most scouts see Williams as a RT in the NFL from what I've read. They don't see him as being able to make the transition against the faster DEs in the league. Also, you still haven't explained one bit how Williams fits in the Pats zone blocking scheme. In fact, everything you've said points against Williams being a fit.

 

[dryheat44]

Although I think we need some fresh blood on the O-line, I really don't want to do it in the first round unless forced to.

My guy is Eric Young. Has played both guard and both tackle positions, and was once regarded as a first round pick. Injuries will drop him to Day two. At that point in the draft, I think he represents fantastic value, unless one thinks his injuries are chronic.

 

[mike100915]

Chris Williams right not is probably the 5th rated OL in the draft. Yes, he could play for the Patriots, but they'd never take him. He'll be a mid to late first round pick. He was a hot player early in the draft process, but has been passed by Alberts and Otah.

 

[captain stone]

Besides Duane Brown and Eric Young, other versatile OLmen available on Day 2 include Mike McGlynn (rounds 3-4), Oniel Cousins (3-4), Shawn Murphy (5-6), and Mike Gibson (5-6).

 

[DaBruinz]

And Jeremy Zuttah as well.