Daily NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
by Ed Valentine on Mar 7, 2010 11:00 AM EST
in 2010 NFL Draft
44 comments
[Remember to check the '2010 NFL Draft' section for all stories relating to the draft.]
The more I study the draft, the more I wonder if our New York Giants will snag an offensive tackle in the first round if the right player is available to them.
Could that player be Oklahoma's 6-foot-4, 308-pound Trent Williams? I don't know if the Giants like him, or even if he will be available to them. Many projections have him off the board before the Giants pick at No. 15.
But, let's make Williams the subject of today's Daily NFL Draft Prospect Profile anyway.
The guy ran an impressive 4.88 40 at the Scouting Combine. Only Maryland's Bruce Campbell (4.85) was faster. He seems to have the ability to play both tackle slots, and possibly to move inside to guard. So, let's take a closer look.
Trent Williams Scouting Reports
From Draft Countdown.
Ideal bulk --- Fantastic athlete --- Quick --- Agile --- Nimble feet --- Mobile with range to get to the second level --- Can hit a moving target --- Great strength --- Stout at the point of attack --- Gets a good push in the run game --- Tough --- Nasty with a killer instinct --- Versatile.
Motor and concentration wane at times --- Battled some minor injuries --- Work ethic's been questioned.
Looked much better on the right side in 2008 than he did on the left side in 2009 --- Struggles as a senior can be at least partially attributed to a relative unfamiliarity with the position, his not necessarily being 100% healthy as well as an inexperienced group of o-lineman around him --- Has all the tools, just needs to be more consistent and pay closer attention to the details --- Terrific all-around blocker who is equally effective in the pass and run games --- Actually compares quite favorably to New Orleans Saints All - Pro Jamaal Brown.
From DraftAce.
Prototypical size. Has a strong base and does a nice job anchoring against the bull rush. Has the upper body strength to jolt smaller defenders backwards; excels as a run blocker.
Had a very disappointing senior year. Struggled with more athletic offensive linemen when lined up on the left side.
Has the skills necessary to be an above-average right tackle and is still worth a mid-to-late 1st-round pick. If a team drafts him to play left tackle, however, I believe they'll be disappointed.
From Consensus Draft Services.
Strong, tough athlete and one of the fastest LOT candidates to ever enter the NFL draft. NFL frame and physique. Quick off the ball and into his man, gets a strong push at the point, and sticks to his blocks. Gets to the second level, and can execute blocks in the open field. ... Solid mid-first round choice who will be asked to play LT. Has the tools, but can always revert to his old RT position. Either way, a good player who will start for a long time.
Why Williams fits with the Giants
Because we know that both David Diehl and Kareem McKenzie need to be replaced soon as the Giants offensive tackles. Will Beatty looks capable of handling one of those slots. Williams looks capable of handling the other.
Why the Giants should pass
Well, this argument actually has nothing to do with the player. It has to do with priorities. Even after signing Antrel Rolle, the Giants need a middle linebacker. They could also use a defensive lineman, particularly a tackle. If you draft based on need, those issues are more pressing today offensive tackle.
(E-mail Ed at bigblueview@gmail.com. Follow Big Blue View on Twitter.)
0 recs |
44 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
If this guy is available the only player I would pass him over for is McClain
We can get a good DT or LB in the 2nd round, and this guy could be a monster on the right side. I firmly believe the offensive line is the most important area on a team with the exception of QB, and the two are inextricably linked. I would love to make a good solid pick to make the line a monster again.
Homer: Aw, twenty dollars! I wanted a peanut!
Homer's Brain: Twenty dollars can buy many peanuts!
Homer: Explain how!
Homer's Brain: Money can be exchanged for goods and services!
Homer: Woo-hoo!
by bigbluethruandthru on Mar 7, 2010 11:10 AM EST reply actions
Trent would be a good pick IMO. He’s an elite athlete, but he’s not a LT..he’s a RT but that’s OK if your the Giants.
I really hope the Giants see Will Beatty as a LT, and not a RT..so that could mean that Trent Williams would be a hell of a BPA type pick (taking into account RT is probably a future need).
If he’s the best player there then why not. But if he’s equal to a player on their board who fits a more pressing need, then the more pressing need makes more sense.
The Giants consensus top 2 needs as of now are MLB and DT, and I won’t argue with that. But given the depth at those 2 positions and that really, a MLB in the 1st would be a drastic reach around..I don’t see that.
Also, the DT’s in 2 and 3 probably are just as good as those that’d be there when the Giants pick, especially Lamarr Houston in round 2.
BPA in round one seems to make sense, cuz you’ll end up drastically reaching around for a MLB in round one.
Master of the squeegee
I think Williams could play LT
He looked mighty athletic and fluid in the films I’ve seen, and foes hate playing him.
I dunno about foes hating playing against him...
they licked their chops and ended Sam Bradford’s season rushing right by him like he wasn’t even there.
Master of the squeegee
by FreeBradshaw on Mar 7, 2010 12:13 PM EST up reply actions
Was mentioned by several DL on combine interviews
I personally think that Bradford is vastly over-rated, the injuries (on tape) didn’t seem to occur on vicious hits. Durability matters, and speed of release matters
Just mho
Beatty
The Giants have said again and again that Beatty “has a left tackle skill set.” He will be given a shot at the left tackle job this year. Up to him to win it.
by Ed Valentine on Mar 7, 2010 11:48 AM EST up reply actions
The football "guru" at the Chicago Tribune
has Williams heading to the Bills at number. Then again, he’s got the Gmen drafting Golden Tate, and the Fish still taking McClain. Guess, there really isn’t much interest in the draft since the Bears punted their first round pick for Cutler. (and, yes, it is hell being a Giants fan and having to live in this town, especially with the signing of Peppers)
Brian Price
Many mock drafts have us taking Brian Price. If Brian Price and Trent Williams are there, I hope Reese goes for Williams. We can get a very good DT as late as the 3rd round.
If ther'e no room,
make room. Now that the Giants have addressed their IMO greatest need, I believe they’ll take the BPA in the first round. If that’s a DT, they’ll take him. Besides, even before the Giants got Rolle, many BBVers believed the DL was what needed to be addressed first. For me, it’s now almost a toss up between DL and LB (leaning slightly toward DL>). Going for an OT wouldn’t bother me in the least. (Last year, my first priority was LOT.) Their intentions re the first round are very murky for me. E.g., what will they do if Spiller is available when they pick?
+1
I still believe an athletic NT type would do wonders for our D. I’ll be a little more certain, once we address MLB, though. I like Goff, but the jury is still out on him and the impact that a stud Mike would have would be tremendous.
Bleeding Blue since 1962
DT
My belief is one big-time defensive tackle who demands a double team, can collapse the pocket and protect the middle linebacker would make a HUGE difference on the defense. Both against the pass and the run.
Other than Haynesworth and Kevin Williams
there aren’t many more of that type of DT’s
by mclaren_is_the_best on Mar 7, 2010 8:47 PM EST up reply actions
Can't argue with that.
Tough get. When the Ravens beat us in the SB, they had two such.
Not an NT
A true 2-gap NT doesn’t get tackles or sacks. He can’t pursue in run defense and he can’t rush the passer. He simply takes on two O-linemen and lets his LBs clean up. (Ratliff plays in a hybrid 3-4 as a 1-gap NT so he doesn’t count.) The Giants can’t have a guy who leaves it up to the LBs.
We need a Kevin Williams/Tommie Harris-type DT. DTs with their skill set have the speed to shoot the 1-gap and make plays in the backfield: tackles for loss and sacks. That ability to make plays forces O-lines to double them like a NT gets doubled. However, they still have enough strength to move the pocket back while occupying two O-linemen. Guys like that are hard to find. You look at Kevin Williams and his presence in the middle is a big reason why Allen and Edwards can do well. When the Bears defense was at its best, Harris was healthy and a beast.
A 4-3 has a 3 Technique and a NT as the functional premiseof the DT alignment
Bleeding Blue since 1962
I don't agree with RV
but I don’t think we need to take a DT in the 1st round either. It’s a position that can easily be filled later. If it’s the BPA at #15, then so be it. However, if my choice is between Williams and Price, I’m taking Williams. I can still take a guy like Lamarr Houston in the 2nd or a guy like Arthur Jones in the 3rd.
I read RV religiously
Remember that he takes a certain artistic license with his prose. It makes him a better read, but sometimes it makes things seem more dramatic
Not a bad pick
Lot’s of upside to the pick IMO. I think it could have several positive impacts on our OL. Beatty SHOULD be able to win the LT spot, but instead of Diehl having to move out to RT he could move over to RG, which, from what I’ve read, is his more natural position. Williams seems like a potential monster RT, just perhaps not versatile/talented enough to play LT. That’s O.K. because we have a very young Beatty to hold down the LT postion for the forseeable future. Having a more effective OL, especially for the running game, is in a way helping to support our D, which shouldn’t be on the field as long. I also agree with Free, MLB might be a reach in the 1st. First of all, McLain might not be available, and secondly, he might not be the best fit or pick for the Giants anyway (better suited for a 3-4 D?). DT is a priority, but will be available later rounds without a significant drop off.
by AZtheGiantsYankNY on Mar 7, 2010 12:28 PM EST reply actions
Dominant OL is more immportant to me going forward than anything else!
And when you listed more pressing needs as reason not to take Williams,Ed I couldn’t agree more.However this about more than just next year,people who want instant gratification forget that,but whoever we take will be with us for a while and his impact will be greater after year 1 of his career.And if we did have a few injuries,with an injury to Kareem seeming likely,and just one more our season could be shot.Also lets keep in mind that the defensive talent pool is deep this year,and DT would best be filled rounds 2-5 with two player IMHO.Also how much better is Brian Price than say Lamar Houston in round 2?OK now what is the drop off between TW and the next RT?This guy is potentially domminant in the run game and can pass-block from the right as well as being experienced!
And who wants a project at RT?Not Eli,thats for sure....
…you could even argue that this position is more worth a small trade-up(although I prefer to trade down if TW and RM are gone) than for Mcclain(who I like alot and would be happy with).
A rookie isn't automatically a project
Barden is a project. Nicks wasn’t.
I’m sure there’d be growing pains but that’s a far cry from being a project.
Just because McKenzie is nearing the end, doesn't mean its over tomorrow
I think he has at least one more very good season left. A late round RT would have a year to get ready for a less demanding position than LT.
Giants Mantra
I know the league is changing more to a “passing league”, but the Giants mantra has always been: Run the ball effectively, and stop the run. I think it still makes sense. We still have a potentially super passing game unfolding with our young talent. Another year of experience, adding the Pharaoh in the red zone, figuring out that we have a couple of TE weapons are are legal to use in the NFL. We could be very effective at throwing the rock. Image how good play action passes could be if we had a running game again, like when we won the Super Bowl? As for stopping the run, I think it still needs to be a priority. The league hasn’t changed that much. The advantage goes to the defense if an offense is forced to be one dimensional. If they can run effectively and have time to pass then you have the 2009 Giants defense. Let’s NEVER do that again!
by AZtheGiantsYankNY on Mar 7, 2010 12:53 PM EST reply actions
That isn't really true
The Giants have embraced the pass in the past (YA Tittle anyone), and moving up to draft a QB #1 is a pretty forceful statement about the passing game
Everyone seems to forget
Sherman and YAs’ aerial circus. Since those disastrous losses in championship games during wind storms, it’s true that the Giants mantra has been as AZ says. Of late that seems to be changing.
I kinda like this kid...
Quick, low center of gravity…Sounds to me we should take a kid like him if he winds up being the BPA on the board..I’m more concerned about getting a solid DT overall…MLB would be next on my list, but I still think Goff is capable…
"When I was a boy and had no sense I got my pecker stuck in an electric fence..Well it curled my hair and tickled my balls, and made me shit in my overalls"
If it comes down to a choice of OT or DT with pick # 15 ...
I’d go with OT (assuming = BPA), providing we feel he could start at RT right away (if McKenzie seems like he is truly breaking down by the time camp rolls around), and Beatty is ready for LT. Move Diehl to LG and we have Seubert and McKenzie for solid depth.
One caveat: you typically don’t take an OT as high as # 15 unless you think he can eventually be a LT. Also, if Beatty is the LT of the future, than maybe wait until Round 2 for an OT (think Phil Loadholdt with the Vikes last year).
typically..no, you can wait on a RT as generally you stick a less athletic mauler there.
Teams have done it however, and there’s plenty of former 1st round OT’s playing RT.
Also, this is the Giants we’re talking about. They paid Kareem McKenzie $37million, so its not like a RT is not a value to the Giants.
Aside from the top 6 tackles (Okung, Davis, Campbell, Williams, Bulaga, Davis) there really aren’t many worthy of a 2nd rounder, at least ones with major questionmarks (Jason Fox has the same condition Gaines Adams (RIP) did)
Also…what about Mike Iupati at #15? If McKenzie really is shot, why not get a Steve Hutchinson caliber LG and move Diehl to RT?
OG vs RT positional value isn’t there, yes. But who cares about positional value if you have potentially Pro Bowl caliber LT and LG starting for the next 10?
Master of the squeegee
I agree on Iupati
We could have the left side of our OL set
for 10 years. Diehl is a more than capable
RT and an upgrade over Mckenzie. How about Pouncey? Ohara can’t play forever and Koets is not a capable back up. Pouncey can play G or C.
by Giants56 on Mar 7, 2010 3:26 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I know the cap is not a factor in 2010 ...
but you have to assume it will be in future years. The problem with a RT or LG at # 15 is the amount of cap space it takes up for positions that are typically cheaper.
If we think we are still primarily a running O, and that the passing game is not what the NFL is about these days, perhaps that is O.K.
Guards...
Are not worth a first round pick. There is no value. Good guards and centers can be had anywhere in the draft and also in free agency. Hey, you sandwhich guys in between other players, and they don’t have to be as good because they get help.
Tackles that play on an island ARE worth a first round pick. Guys that big with nimble feet are hard to find.
I know.
But some guards are worth 1st rounders, especially if your as good as Iupati. OG’s and OC’s go in round one if they’re that good.
Master of the squeegee
by FreeBradshaw on Mar 8, 2010 10:33 AM EST up reply actions
Looks like Ferguson just screwed himself..
I was kinda looking at him as perhaps a ‘bridge over our troubled waters’ at DT..but he has been suspended 10 games for steroids..He’s 35 and just maybe ended his career because of it…
"When I was a boy and had no sense I got my pecker stuck in an electric fence..Well it curled my hair and tickled my balls, and made me shit in my overalls"
More on Pouncey
Not saying take him 15. Maybe trade down and pick up another pick and grab him later. If
not him picking up a C later in the
draft should be a priority
by Giants56 on Mar 7, 2010 3:29 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Really?
Is trent williams really a project? i disagree. bruce campbell is the project tackle of this draft class, along with Charles Brown.
I agree
But I also think that between Williams and Earl Thomas, Thomas is probably the better prospect. Especially if its RT vs S.
At this point I’d rate Weatherspoon ahead of Iupati and LB is a bigger need than OG.
If you like Williams and the Oklahoma Front
Then watch the tape of Ndamakong Suh blasting thru them like hot knife thru butter….. Even though Okla smoked them, Suh was in on nearly every play, even those on the opposite side of the line.
Dump Osi, trade picks and go up and get him.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Community Guidelines
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Get Your Giants' Gear
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
