2011 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: D.J. Williams, TE, Arkansas

by Ed Valentine on Apr 1, 2011 1:00 PM EDT in New York Giants News

D.J. Williams of the Arkansas Razorbacks. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

We have spent some time since the end of the 2010 NFL season discussing whether or not the New York Giants need an upgrade at the tight end position. They will definitely need one if Kevin Boss decides to leave via free agency, whenever that occurs.

With that in mind let's use today's 2011 NFL Draft prospect profile to look at another of the tight ends in this year's draft class. D.J. Williams of Arkansas is a high-upside type player who has some positional flexibility. Scouting reports after the jump.

D.J. Williams
TE, Arkansas
6-foot-2, 245 pounds
Projection: Day 2

Scouting Reports

From Sideline Scouting:

Positives: Athletic... Good speed... Gets off the LOS quickly... Runs reasonably good routes... Good flexibility, body control and balance... Finds holes in zone coverage... Adjusts to the ball well... Good receiver... High points the pass... Soft and big, strong hands... Catches the ball away from his body... Physical... Not afraid to go over the middle of the field... Runs hard... Does not go down easy... Will break some tackles... Better blocker than given credit for, plays with reasonably good leverage... Good perimeter and inside blocker... Good character... Active in community service... Has overcome his abusive father (who remains in jail, with no communication) in upbringing... Won the 2010 Disney Spirit Award, presented to college football's most inspirational individual... Productive... Could also be considered as an H-Back and fullback... Selected All-SEC first team for the 2010 season and All-SEC second team for the 2008 season... This year's Aaron Hernandez, but a better blocker.

Negatives: Rounds off his routes... Can be slow and tight out of his breaks... Lacks elusiveness in open field... Adequate second level blocker... A little awkward looking in space... Doesn't break down consistently well and will miss some moving targets... A few inches shorter than ideal.

From Draft Countdown:

Strengths:
- Naturally athletic and very smooth
- Great speed, quickness and agility
- Soft, reliable hands and good concentration
- Nice ball skills and terrific body control
- Runs excellent routes and able to separate
- Can get verticle and stretch the seam
- Runs hard and creates after the catch
- Aggressive and gives great effort as a blocker
- Tough and virtually fearless on the field

Weaknesses:
- Below average height and bulk with short arms
- Is not very strong or powerful
- Size limits effectiveness as a blocker
- Won't be a fit for every team or system
- Might be a bit of a 'tweener

Overview:
Could project to tight end, H-Back or even fullback at the next level. ... Won the John Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end in 2010. ... Certainly isn't a prototypical prospect at the position but is a dangerous pass catching threat who offers more as a blocker than you would think. ... Needs to be in the right situation and role to excel.

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Comments

meh

I feel like taking DJ Williams would be a sign of the Giants giving up on Beckum, which I just can’t see happening.

If Beckum, who was one of the top TE prospects before breaking his leg his senior year, can’t fit into the Giants offensive system, then maybe it’s time to give up on the H-Back/TE/WR hybrid experiment.

That said, I really hope Beckum DOES succeed this year in that role, as he is a baller and I think he’s due to break out, especially if SS12 isn’t back up to full speed.

I see Blue, he looks glorious!

by RealLT on Apr 1, 2011 1:20 PM EDT reply actions

My thoughts exactly

This guy doesn’t sound like the standard, prototypical TE that KG is used to using, but more like a Beckum type that’s basically going to end up as a wasted draft pick. Not saying that Beckum was a wasted draft pick, I still hope we can use him, but we don’t need another player like him if we can’t use the 1st version correctly.

"Oh sir, the Giants of New York took on the Packers of Green Bay. And in the end, the Giants triumphed by kicking an oblong ball made of pigskin through a big "H". It was a most ripping victory."

by jcalafiore on Apr 1, 2011 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd rather

take a late round chance on Weslye Saunders… deceptive receiving threat, and the size to be a good blocker. He may not have the off the charts athleticism of the converted basketball players, but he could be the most complete TE outside of Rudolph.

He could use some maturing, but maybe missing a season of football will help with that… Manningham and Bradshaw grew up nicely once they got to Giants Land.

by Raptor22 on Apr 1, 2011 5:03 PM EDT reply actions

This is a bad year to be in need of a TE

which the Giants aren’t really in need of, but they could stand to upgrade Boss. If this was last year they’d have a ton of TEs to pick through.

Williams is a slower, less prolific Travis Beckum. Since Gilbride hasn’t gotten his head out of his ass on Beckum, I don’t think Williams is worth anything to us either.

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Apr 1, 2011 6:28 PM EDT reply actions

I'm glad we all realize that Travis Beckum is a good player

who has not been utilized. The D.J. Williams comparison to Aaron Hernandez is a legitimate one. They are the same exact size and can provide the exact versatility to an offense and this should get D.J. Williams drafted in the early to mid 3rd round range. That offense just isn’t the New York Giants’. Aaron Hernandez would still be an unknown in our system. If I had my choice, Travis Beckum is still more talented than most any of these smallish TE/H-Backs. D.J. Williams is a fine player and human being but he just isn’t in the cards for us. He may make a decent enough FB but there is noone at that position worth taking as early as he may go. I like him but I have to pass as the Giants’ GM.

by Robin's-meats-and-vegetables on Apr 1, 2011 11:47 PM EDT reply actions