Milton Williams NFL Draft Overview
Position: Defensive Lineman
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 278 lbs
School: Louisiana Tech
Pro Day Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.67
Vertical jump: 38 1/2
Broad jump: 10’01”
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 34
Milton Williams Draft Profile
Just a two-star prospect out of high school, Milton Williams is developing into a very interesting NFL Draft Target. Though he might now be a massive pass rusher, his physicality and intensity make him quite an appealing target. From his high school days, his athleticism has always been one of his greatest assets. Attending Crowley High School in Texas, he played basketball in addition to football. Williams was also named the Defensive MVP in District 5A-Region II for his Texas football contributions.
Despite the high school-level success, Milton Williams earned a redshirt during his first year at Louisiana Tech. However, hard work allowed Williams to work his way into a rotational contributor’s role during his second season. In fact, after his redshirt-freshman season in 2018, he was named to the Conference USA’s Honor Roll. From there, the young pass rusher grew into his own. Over the course of three seasons, he racked up 106 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. It’s still unknown how well he could’ve performed against stiffer competition. In a match-up against Zach Wilson’s BYU Cougars this season, he looked slightly above average. Granted, Wilson easily carved through the Louisiana Tech secondary, hardly allowing Williams time to crash the passer’s party.
During his redshirt-junior and final season at Lousiana Tech, Williams came into his own and quickly stood out to NFL scouts. While the team went 5-5 and experienced a big pause in their schedule due to COVID-19, he was their stand-out man. Though the rest of his team struggled to create pressure around him, Williams impressed. After the season, he was named an All-Conference First-Team honoree. Entering the NFL, he will finally be able to play with a group of pass rushers adept at creating pressure. Further, he should benefit from playing alongside professionals in the secondary creating coverage sack opportunities.
Strengths
- High-motor will allow him to beat offensive lineman on a regular basis;
- Closes gaps in the running game, forcing opposing ball carriers to reverse course;
- Has positional flexibility; can succeed at defensive end or on the interior;
- Eats up blockers with ease; skilled in the art of absorbing double-teams;
- Never gives up on his pursuit or the play; willing to go above and beyond to end a play.
Weaknesses
- Doesn’t possess elite first step, needs to learn how to explode on snap;
- Has a tendency to bite hard towards the running back on read options;
- Tends to lose leverage coming out of stance;
- Needs to get used to playing in a more formal defensive scheme;
- Williams will need to develop a go-to pass rush move if he stays outside.
NFL Comparison: Shaquil Barrett
Teams With Need at Position: Arizona Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans
Projection: Late Third/Early Fourth Round
Bottom Line on Milton Williams
The most important part of the development of Williams will be solidifying his position. Is he an edge rusher? Is he an interior defensive tackle? At Louisiana Tech, he rotated between the two spots throughout each game to varying degrees of success. As with most players, identifying his position will allow him to specialize and maximize his potential. Further, once he has his target, he can truly build his body to fit that spot, whether it be weight, speed, or muscle. Teams might shy away from Williams if they’re worried about the immediate impact. Regardless, a team looking for a high-potential developmental piece should be thrilled by Williams as a prospect.
There should be plenty of suitors for Milton Williams in the 2021 NFL Draft. Seemingly, he should have his name called on day three. There is a rumor floating that one team has Williams in their sights in the early third round. Reportedly, the Bengals have a target on Williams with the 69th-overall selection, the fifth pick in the third round. Regardless, there’s a high-ceiling on the young pass rusher. With a wide frame and high motor, he’s what teams are looking for in a developmental pass rusher. Playing at a higher level than Conference USA in college likely would’ve allowed him to rise up the draft board.
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