Tim Williams, EDGE, Alabama
Multiple failed drug tests. Gun charges. Williams’ off-field history with the Crimson Tide reads like a sad police blotter. This will drop the otherwise dynamic pass-rush threat completely out of the first round. In fact, there’s surely a scenario in play here where he could drop to Day 3.
That’s an amazing realization to come to, especially considering Williams tallied 18.5 sacks an 27.5 tackles for loss in his final two seasons with Alabama. It’s his production and the awe-inspiring tape that has some thinking Williams might go higher than we expect.
For his part, Williams sounds contrite when discussing his history.
“Oh, yeah. I have failed some (drug tests),” Williams said back in March, via AL.com. “A young player, making decisions that I grew from. That’s all about life, being a man and owning up to your situations — owning up to your mistakes because everybody makes some. I’m not here laughing around and joking. I know I have something to prove.”
Some might conclude that these comments will ease the fears of NFL teams heading into the draft. We’re here to throw that whole idea out the window.
Teams might look past off-field issues when it comes to the quarterback position. The same really can’t be said for any position on defense, even what has been an increasingly important EDGE pass-rush role in the NFL.
Despite his tape and previous production, we’re expecting Williams to fall to at least the fourth round. When a team does pick him up, it will surely be getting a high-upside prospect that needs to be given a direction off the field. That much can’t be denied.