{"id":41883,"date":"2018-04-10T18:59:46","date_gmt":"2018-04-10T22:59:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=41883"},"modified":"2021-03-13T13:12:54","modified_gmt":"2021-03-13T18:12:54","slug":"connor-williams-match-vikings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/04\/10\/connor-williams-match-vikings\/","title":{"rendered":"Connor Williams Is a Match for the Minnesota Vikings"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Minnesota Vikings<\/a> offensive line struggles are long and well documented. Despite major improvement last year with the additions of tackles\u00a0Riley Reiff<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Mike Remmers<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>in free agency last season and center\u00a0Pat Elflein<\/a><\/strong> in the last draft, the offensive line has remained the Vikings consensus top need among fans and analysts. Everyone has their favorite match for the Vikings<\/a>, whether it be\u00a0Isaiah Wynn <\/strong><\/a>or Billy Price<\/a>. <\/strong>Perhaps the most overlooked has been\u00a0former Texas Longhorns star\u00a0Connor Williams\u00a0<\/strong>and his tackle flexibility.<\/p>\n

Connor Williams Is a Match for the Minnesota Vikings<\/h1>\n

Most consider guard to be the position the Vikings are mostly like to attack early in the draft. Holding the 30th overall pick, prospects like\u00a0Quenton Nelson<\/strong><\/a> and Wynn will most likely be long gone. Falling down draft boards after a knee injury<\/a>, Williams is a true technician who could be a steal in the late-first or early second round.<\/p>\n

Provides the Vikings with Options<\/h3>\n

Targeting Williams would give the Vikings flexibility on draft night and on the field. After a lingering knee injury caused a (minor) dip in his play, Williams should be available at the end of round one. Additionally, he could last even longer due to being undersized for a modern NFL left tackle. If he does fall, the Vikings would be in a prime position to trade down and still draft Williams early in the second round.<\/p>\n

Although Williams is exceedingly light and has short arms, he still has position flexibility. His athleticism, explosiveness, technique, and nastiness allowed him to excel as a left tackle at Texas. William’s athletic profile actually compares favorably to former Carolina Panthers left tackle\u00a0Jordan Gross<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and Atlanta Falcons left tackle\u00a0Jake Matthews<\/a><\/strong>. If needed, Williams could step into either tackle spot for the Vikings or slide inside to guard.<\/p>\n