Giants' Potential UDFA Targets: Ian Williams, DT, Notre Dame

by Ed Valentine on May 18, 2011 2:00 PM EDT in New York Giants News

It has been a few days since we discussed a potential undrafted free agent target for the New York Giants. Let's put another name on the table today, though. How about Notre Dame defensive tackle Ian Williams?

A 6-foot-1, 319-pounder, Williams is on Draft Countdown's list of the top 50 undrafted free agents, and CBS draft analyst Chad Reuter has him on his list of the top five UDFAs.

Reuter had this to say about Williams:

Strong and stout at the point of attack, the 6-1, 319 pounder can play the nose in the 3-4 as well as in the 4-3 alignment. Like Cooper, Williams is coming off a knee injury (torn MCL) that limited his senior season. Even when healthy, Williams isn't going to dazzle anyone with flashy plays as he has only moderate overall athleticism. His ability to hold up at the point of attack, however, should make him one of the more eagerly sought-after free agents this year.

Here is a pre-draft profile from NFL.com:

Williams is recovering from a torn MCL suffered during his senior season, but he is a quality run stopper that could be an effective two-down specialist. He is near impossible to move when he gets in good position, as he is very strong and has a thick compact body. He is also a hard worker that never gives up on the play. He can be a very stout run stopper, but he is not athletic or technically refined enough to contribute in the pass rush. Williams is a one dimensional player, but he is human hole plugger.

We know, of course, that the Giants drafted North Carolina's Marvin Austin in the second round. If Austin plays to his potential he could be a stud in the middle for Perry Fewell's defense. The Giants also have Chris Canty. Behind those two are untested second-year player Linval Joseph and the mostly unsatisfying veteran Rocky Bernard.

I am not even including Barry Cofield at this point. I see it as a huge bonus if the Giants somehow get Cofield to return in 2011, but more than likely Cofield is leaving via free agency. So, even with the drafting of Austin and the Giants' tendency to remove a defensive tackle at times in favor of a three defensive end alignment, adding depth and competition at defensive tackle would seem like a good idea.

From the reports, Williams has the primary thing you want from a defensive tackle -- he is a stout run defender who can clog the middle. The Giants have lots of other guys to chase quarterbacks. He might be worth a shot.

Your thoughts?

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Comments

we definitely need a 4th DT and it might as well be a NT type.

But why did you say Linval is behind Marvin Austin?
Did I miss something or is that a mistake?

by Shaunthegiant on May 18, 2011 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

Well ..

Maybe I should have written “in addition to.” I implied Austin is ahead of Joseph, and I didn’t mean to do that.

by Ed Valentine on May 18, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

What a combo/competition,tho!

I am really high on Linval and think he will start and look better than any DT we have drafted in a long while…however Austin shoud play more than L-Jo did as a rook.Really,really stout and young up the middle..wish I could say the same on the other side of the ball but I think JR & Co. will figure this out.As they did with replacing Plax w/ Nicks/HAM etc.
By the way what solutions do you see for C this year,Ed?Could an article be forthcoming?(Hint,hint)

by Shaunthegiant on May 18, 2011 2:53 PM EDT reply actions

IMO

the line could get a lot younger next year… Its entirely possible that it could be (from LT→RT):

Beatty-Petrus-Koets-Snee-KMac

That’s a young, athletic and overall powerful line.

by Raptor22 on May 18, 2011 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Sure, bring him in...

…another guy who commands double teams will only help the other guys.

personally, I think the DT’s will shuffle around more than they did last year.

Canty and Joseph can both play NT/1-Tech, while Austin and Canty can both play 3-tech. They’ve got a lot of flexibility in there. If they replace Bernard with Williams then the depth chart would be:

NT: Joseph, Canty, Williams
3-T: Austin/Canty, Tuck (and maybe JPP)

by Raptor22 on May 18, 2011 3:27 PM EDT reply actions

"Hard worker" sounds good, but

at least on paper he doesn’t sound too exciting. Man, I’m really disappointed that we’re going to lose Cofield.

I must say, Ed, you’re earning your spurs turning out good stuff at a time when writing daily NFL columns is challenging to say the least. Good job, thanks for the stuff, and hang in there.

by saturday on May 18, 2011 3:36 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks, Saturday

It isn’t easy churning out stuff when nothing is really going on. This is usually how it is in July.

by Ed Valentine on May 18, 2011 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Bernard is a waste, the exchange seems good, save some money too

but will TC be happy with having DTs all younger players? Not his personality.

All the Giants should play like Mark Bavaro.
Tom Quinn Must Go!
On second thought, let's not blame players or coaches, they are not responsible. The unsupportive fans are to blame.

by UnknownJintsFan on May 18, 2011 3:37 PM EDT reply actions

I stick with my question about TC

but the more I read, the more I like Ian Williams as a role player backup type.

Put him in on short yardage and goal line Ds.

Give him a chance please.

All the Giants should play like Mark Bavaro.
Tom Quinn Must Go!
On second thought, let's not blame players or coaches, they are not responsible. The unsupportive fans are to blame.

by UnknownJintsFan on May 20, 2011 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions

As a Fighting Irish fan

I got to see him plenty and I will say although not flashy or splashy, he is a very valueable player. On the NFL level he more than likely won’t ever be more than depth but he will be quality depth. I love him, not everything as we all know is sacks, he won’t get those but he will occupy blockers giving one on one match ups to the guys who will wreck havoc. I would get him and at this stage I would say he would almost spell the end for Rocky Bernard who provides something still but not the pass rusher he was a few years ago.

by Robin's-meats-and-vegetables on May 18, 2011 5:08 PM EDT reply actions

Absolutely

I see a need and a role for Ian Williams, especially if they don’t resign Cofield, which is unlikely regardless of the free agency rules. The only hope is the Cofield is a RFA and we could potentially trade him for a draft pick instead of losing him completely. Regardless, we’ll need another DT and Ian Williams could play on short yard situations, while rotating out of passing plays, especially if we get hit by injuries.

by JPP90 on May 18, 2011 7:42 PM EDT reply actions

YES!!

As a big ND fan I have seen 90% of the games Williams played in. Just like the report says, he isn’t flashy or extremely athletic, but he does make plays and takes up a TON of space on the field. I would love for the Giants to sign him. The Giants have had a good record with ND players!

by eyerish9299 on May 19, 2011 12:15 PM EDT reply actions