Leonard Williams a questionable pass rusher

Leonard Williams | CLG


(April 10, 2015 2:43 PM EDT)


ESPN's Louis Riddick suggested USC DT Leonard Williams may struggle to make an impact on third downs in the NFL.


Although Williams is widely regarded as a top-five lock, a slew of astute analysts have expressed skepticism regarding his pass-rush ability, from Riddick to NFL Films' Greg Cosell, RSP's Eric Stoner, and PFF's Sam Monson.


"This is not to say that Leonard Williams cannot be a good player, because he should be," Riddick said. "I just do not want to pay that kind of price for a good two-down player that I don't know if he will be a good third-down producer. I have not seen it, and I don't trust it at this point."


The comparisons for Williams have ranged widely, with optimists likening him to Richard Seymour and skeptics to Tyson Jackson.

SOURCE: ESPN.COM

For those who don't know Riddick, he was a former pro scout and director of pro personnel for both Washington and Philly from 2001 to 2013.


I know that there's been a few on this board who have pointed out Leonard's lack of impact in the passing game and on 3rd downs. Do you think this is something he can improve on and get better with expert coaching or do you think he'll be a two down player (and not worthy of a top pick) his entire career?

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"Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry, he's a mile away and barefoot."

He's 20 years old.  What you see now is not what you should be getting when he's 24.  

 

He's got the physical tools to be special, that's for sure.

 

I think every single pass rusher in this year's draft can have a major question mark about them as well, and Leonard Williams is no different.

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not that i've paid attention - but if Fowler for example has only 15 sacks in his entire career, how good could he have been as a 3rd down pass-rusher?

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For those who don't know Riddick, he was a former pro scout and director of pro personnel for both Washington and Philly from 2001 to 2013.


I know that there's been a few on this board who have pointed out Leonard's lack of impact in the passing game and on 3rd downs. Do you think this is something he can improve on and get better with expert coaching or do you think he'll be a two down player (and not worthy of a top pick) his entire career?

 

He'll get some sacks, but that's not his strength. I don't see how the Jags can possibly draft him after bringing in Odrick at $8.5M per year. They play the same position.

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"Why should I give information to you when all you want to do is find something wrong with it?"

I just don't see him being the pick at 3.


Too high for him.

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Richard Seymour was an elite DT for a long time, and Tyson Jackson has turned out to be quite a good player himself. If a mix of those two players is what we were really getting, I'd be all for drafting Williams at 3. In fact, I wouldn't be upset in the slightest if he were the pick as it stands. Big and athletically dominant guys in the middle of the field, on both sides of the ball, is very important.

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Richard Seymour was an elite DT for a long time, and Tyson Jackson has turned out to be quite a good player himself. If a mix of those two players is what we were really getting, I'd be all for drafting Williams at 3. In fact, I wouldn't be upset in the slightest if he were the pick as it stands. Big and athletically dominant guys in the middle of the field, on both sides of the ball, is very important.

Tyson Jackson? Good? The guy has 9 career sacks. For comparisons sake Alualu has 13 sacks playing 1 less year. He had a good six game stretch to close out the season but that's literally all he has done his entire career. I'm willing to think that's more of a fluke than anything.

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"Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry, he's a mile away and barefoot."

He could def. get better but when I look at prospects, I would put him in a tier under Suh, McCoy, and Darius. Who I think were all better prospects. I could be wrong but I dont think Williams will ever be the player Suh, McCoy or Darius are.

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Williams or Fowler will be the debate for 3 weeks. Let the games begin.


People will hate on Williams. People will hate on Fowler. It's what happens this time of year.


When Luck came out, some were questioning his arm strength and thought RG3 was better. When you're as good as Williams is, people will bash you just to be different.

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Williams or Fowler will be the debate for 3 weeks. Let the games begin.


People will hate on Williams. People will hate on Fowler. It's what happens this time of year.


When Luck came out, some were questioning his arm strength and thought RG3 was better. When you're as good as Williams is, people will bash you just to be different.

Are you really comparing Williams as a DT prospect as to Luck was a QB prospect?  Most were saying Luck was the best prospect in 30 years since Elway and the others were saying he was the best QB prospect ever.  Do you feel that way for Williams as a DT prospect?

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Are you really comparing Williams as a DT prospect as to Luck was a QB prospect?  Most were saying Luck was the best prospect in 30 years since Elway and the others were saying he was the best QB prospect ever.  Do you feel that way for Williams as a DT prospect?

 

that's not what he was saying at all.

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only real flags I saw was getting off the snap and once I saw that was the scheme and he also had an injury, I wasn't too worried about it anymore. I think he's a top 3 prospect in this draft.

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only real flags I saw was getting off the snap and once I saw that was the scheme and he also had an injury, I wasn't too worried about it anymore. I think he's a top 3 prospect in this draft.

I've seen this tossed around on the boards as well. This site and article, which is the USC version of BCC, and is familiar with the USC defensive scheme, seems to agree that there may be concerns about LW getting off the snap. It may be scheme related but they also include examples of LW repeatedly being the last one off the line.

<a class="bbc_url" href='http://www.conquestchronicles.com/2015/2/27/8089237/nfl-draft-report-film-breakdown-leonard-williams-usc-trojans'>http://www.conquestchronicles.com/2015/2/27/8089237/nfl-draft-report-film-breakdown-leonard-williams-usc-trojans</a>

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"Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry, he's a mile away and barefoot."

It seems like there is a growing number of people questioning Leonard Williams and if he is worth a top 5 picks. I have seen similar comments from some of the guys at Pro Football Focus. Also from Evan Silva and Greg Cosell. 

 

Cosell's comments were pretty in line with Riddick. The main thing is his lack of pass rushing ability.

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Sounds like there is nobody worth taking with a top five pick this year !

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Sounds like there is nobody worth taking with a top five pick this year !

 

Isn't that what happens every year?

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Isn't that what happens every year?

 

Yep!  Leading up to the combine it's always a fantastic draft class with tons of talent, by the time the draft rolls around everyone is overrated. 

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Do you know what draft class looks great? Next year!

 

-Every year

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I believe the big reason why so many players get criticized a lot by everyone is because the people ranking them know they can't all be success stories.

A lot of them will fail. They have to point out weaknesses so they can say "see, I told you guys before the draft he may not be worth it"

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When you look at his agility tests, 40 time, jumps and his relative production at the college level there is nothing to suggest that he will be better than above average rushing the passer as a three technique, let alone on the edge. And with every day that passes we as a group of informed fans should point out anyone who compared this guy to jj watt and hold them up for the world to see as frauds. This happens every year. In November they rate guys as all time greats to sell reality as a fall from grace in April.

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