Thread: NT Dan Williams

Dan Williams- 6'2 329

All of the following free agent nose tackles in free agency tagged have been tagged or soon will be:
Aubrayo Franklin
Casey Hampton
Ryan Pickett
Vince Wilfork

It's time to take a closer look at the top rated NT in the 2010 NFL draft.

Positives:
Good size
Thick lower body
Can handle 2 blockers at the LOS
Good lateral movement for his size
Outstanding vs. the run
Can peel off of blockers when the run is coming at him
Fills a position of need for the Broncos


Negatives:
Tends to wear down in the 2nd half
Not always a 3 down player
Motor has been inconsistant at times
Not a pass rusher
May have limited upside


While Williams definitely fills a need for our defense, and would provide size and depth at NT, I don't think he's worth the 10/11th pick in the draft. I think he'll be a decent starting NT in the NFL. I don't think he'll ever be a star. I've always been a proponent of bolstering the offensive and defensive lines, but I'm not sure that this is the time to reach on a NT this high in the draft. With a pick this high, Denver needs to either grab a game changing player, trade up to get one, or trade down for more picks.

There are a few NT's that I like later in the draft that could turn into productive starters in the NFL:
Terrance Cody
Cam Thomas
Linval Joseph
Travis Ivey- (my favorite late round sleeper)
Torrell Troup


With all of the top free agent NT's off of the board, I think Williams stock will soar, especially since he can play DT in a 4-3 also. He may or may not be available at our pick, but if he is, could offer good bait for a trade down.

Dan Williams is THE guy I want Denver to draft this year but realisticly I dont see it happening. 10/11 is too high and I dont see McD reaching on him. As of right now tho, Terrance Cody is not a first round player, so both he and Cam Thomas should fall into the second round. Expect Cody to be taken by the Chiefs if he falls to 37 but that puts us in great position to pick up Thomas. Id be happy with that too.

Didn't we draft him in like 1994?

Ive watched alot of this guy this year. His only real year of playing college ball.
Hes dominant against the run. Has an incredible bull rush, and is fast and quick on his feet. Hes also very perceptive to any kind of fakes or counter run plays that might change direction. Hes all over players in the backfield.
Basically, hes really difficult to block, and can cause alot of havoc up front.
However, as the games goes into the 3rd/4th quarter, he really begins to wear down. Teams seemed to key in on him then, and actually use this against him. He aslo has no other real, viable upside other than the bull rush. Sometimes he would just bull rush himself right out of the play. Thats all he can do.
So Williams would have some learning to do.
However, of all the TENN players i watched, Hardesty,Williams and Rico McCoy, were by far the best players on the field. Eric DingleBerry is vastly overrated to me, and will most likely end up a CB in the NFL. JMO.
I would love to aquire Williams at around 20-25 and let him play with Fields, rotating them accordingly. Fields could also play DE next to Williams on specific down.

Originally Posted by sneakers

Didn't we draft him in like 1994?

I like him but is he a first/second round pick better than Baker or Fields?