Overview
Position: Offensive tackle
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 320 pounds
School: Texas Longhorns
Combine Performance Data
Bench Press: 26 reps
Vertical Jump: 34.0 inches (best among offensive linemen)
Broad Jump: 9 feet, 3 inches (fifth among offensive linemen)
Connor Williams 2018 NFL Draft Profile
Since 2001, only two Texas Longhorn offensive linemen have gone in the first round of the NFL Draft. The Arizona Cardinals selected Leonard Davis with the second overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft, one year before the Buffalo Bills selected Mike Williams with the fourth overall pick in 2002. Both players enjoyed lengthy NFL careers, with the two combining to start 211 games. Outside of them, however, Texas has not produced first-round talent across the offensive line in some time.
With the NFL Draft fast approaching, Connor Williams appears to be the trend-breaker for the Longhorns. The junior seems likely to be one of the first two tackles off the board come April 26th.
Despite a high school senior year in which Williams was a Class 6A All-State selection, the Texas native came to the Longhorns in 2015 as a mere three-star recruit. However, Williams shed that ranking quickly, becoming an essential piece in the Longhornâs offense.
After his freshman season, Williams was named a Freshman All-American by multiple outlets and was a Big-12 All-Conference selection the same year. In 2016, Williams again was named both a First-Team All-Conference selection and a First-Team All-American.
Williams’ junior year, however, wrote a different story for him. In 2017, he was limited to five regular season games due to a left knee injury and struggled to assert himself in pass protection. Despite an injury-plagued season, Williams remains among the top offensive tackles entering draft season and has showcased elite potential to thrive in the NFL.
Strengths
- Fluid, smooth technique
- Strong center of gravity
- Works hard for centered blocks
- A+ footwork
- Elite run-blocker
- Proven leader on and off the field
- Adjusts quickly to moving targets
- Strong, mean play tendency
Weaknesses
- Below-average arm length may limit potential at NFL tackle
- Little, yet disappointing, 2017 tape
- Durability concerns
- Questionable lateral quicknesses
- Needs to add core strength
- Tight lower-body stance
NFL Comparison: Jake Matthews
Teams With Need at Position: New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Chargers, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills
Projection: Mid-First Round pick
Bottom Line
Overall, Williams holds all of the keys to be an elite lineman at the next level. Those studying Williams’ tape should not take much stock in his 2017 film, as his play was heavily limited due to injury. Williams is not the perfect tackle prospect, however. His below-average arm length could force him to move inside to guard, or even center, in the future. He possesses all the tools to be an elite offensive line talent at the next level, with plus techniques in both run and pass protection.
His ceiling, as NFL.comâs Lance Zierlein puts it, is very high. If he regains his 2016 form, he will be a good NFL starter. If not, he’ll be an average NFL starter. In order for him to reach that level, Williams must put the injury woes of 2017 in the past and return to his former, dominant self.
