Michael Williams, TE, Alabama

Big_Pete · 02-21-2013, 04:51 PM

I couldn't find a thread on him so here goes

Williams did not have a great showing at the senior bowl and didn't get an invite to the combine.

From all reports Williams seems to be a dominant blocker, yet something of a liability as a reciever.

Do you think it ist possible that Williams could convert to left tackle? This would be something similar to the transition Jason Peters did in Buffalo.

mightytitan9 · 02-21-2013, 04:58 PM

That transition is harder than Peters made it seem. Williams could add some bulk and give it a go, but his real future may just be as a blocking TE.

Big_Pete · 02-21-2013, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mightytitan9

That transition is harder than Peters made it seem. Williams could add some bulk and give it a go, but his real future may just be as a blocking TE.

Is it that hard? I don't know the specifics of what is required (hence the thread), but on the surface it seems viable.

Quite a lot of college OTs were former TEs, they all successfully made the transition.

You could probably argue that on other college teams, they would have tried this conversion already.

Sure there is a learning curve and Williams would need to add around 30lbs, but it seems to me that it should be an option that shold be at least considered.

princefielder28 · 02-21-2013, 05:12 PM

He's a plus blocker and knows how to get open in the red zone...he'll find his way onto a team

mightytitan9 · 02-21-2013, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big_Pete

Is it that hard? I don't know the specifics of what is required (hence the thread), but on the surface it seems viable.

Quite a lot of college OTs were former TEs, they all successfully made the transition.

You could probably argue that on other college teams, they would have tried this conversion already.

Sure there is a learning curve and Williams would need to add around 30lbs, but it seems to me that it should be an option that shold be at least considered.

Well, the only thing is that most of them were TEs in High School, or early on in their college career. Most didn't go there whole college career at TE and move, I emphasize most.

It will definitely be considered, but I don't see a team drafting him with the intent of moving him. That would leave him to going undrafted. Teams may ask him in interviews if he'd move, and he'd be wise to say he'd be open to it.

Babylon · 02-21-2013, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big_Pete

Is it that hard? I don't know the specifics of what is required (hence the thread), but on the surface it seems viable.

Quite a lot of college OTs were former TEs, they all successfully made the transition.

You could probably argue that on other college teams, they would have tried this conversion already.

Sure there is a learning curve and Williams would need to add around 30lbs, but it seems to me that it should be an option that shold be at least considered.

Guys like Joe Staley and Eric Fisher came out of highschool as TEs but used their college careers to bulk up. To come out of college needing to gain maybe 40 or 50 pounds, i'm not sure there is that much interest from NFL teams for that.

I happen to think he can make a team as a TE.

Caulibflower · 02-21-2013, 05:37 PM

I just like him as a blocker in general. He's definitely going to be an NFL player, even if he's not really a receiving threat, whether that means teams bring him in like an extra tackle or just change his jersey number to that of the O-line.

Leon Sandcastle · 02-21-2013, 05:48 PM

Measured in at 6'5 269 and looks pretty maxed out. This is a kid who could stick on a majority of team's 53 because of his terrific inline blocking.

Wouldn't be surprised if SF took him in the 4th-5th to help with their Power O especially with Walker moving on in FA.

mdmgrand · 02-21-2013, 06:43 PM

I want the Browns to pick him up early in the 5th Round to be a compliment to Cameron for the future. I actually really liked what I saw of Cameron and hope the Browns do not pick a TE any earlier, especially another one who is one dimensional as a receiver like Cameron.

I'm actually happy he did not get an invite to the combine; it will keep his stock in the late 4th, early 5th.

rawdawg · 02-21-2013, 06:53 PM

I don't think he's that bad of a receiver. He has pretty good hands. He runs decent routes. He has no speed, but I think he can be productive if for nothing else other than he will never be covered by a stud LB or S. When he's on the field, he will be an afterthought in the pass game. He will either be the 2nd TE used to chip and release or he will be the lone TE when the D is in a base D and keying on the run.

Never going to be a 60-catch guy, but he could be a guy that gives you 20-30 catches a year and be a huge red zone factor blocking or slipping into a route.

DrewyVuitton · 02-21-2013, 07:35 PM

Underrated receiver. He has good hands. Just lacking speed. As a Cowboys fan I think he'd be an ideal compliment to James Hannah, a hybrid guy, behind Witten.

Williams can be a real asset blocking in 2 TE sets, get you a few catches as an emergency valve, and help in goaline sets.

Never going to be a star but will likely be one of those solid, unspectacular guys who can carve out a nice career bouncing around.

DrewyVuitton · 02-23-2013, 11:28 PM

Have watched a few games of Michael Williams so far. Was just watching Alabama vs Georgia, actually to watch Jarvis Jones and Alec Ogletree, but couldn't help noticing Michael Williams showing up in the run game over and over again.

Any arguments against this guy being the best blocking TE in the class? In every Alabama game I've watched, opposing players just seem to stick to this guy. Once he's on them, they're out of the play.

TitansCJftw · 02-23-2013, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big_Pete

Is it that hard? I don't know the specifics of what is required (hence the thread), but on the surface it seems viable.

Quite a lot of college OTs were former TEs, they all successfully made the transition.

You could probably argue that on other college teams, they would have tried this conversion already.

Sure there is a learning curve and Williams would need to add around 30lbs, but it seems to me that it should be an option that shold be at least considered.

??? uh

diabsoule · 02-24-2013, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrewyVuitton

Have watched a few games of Michael Williams so far. Was just watching Alabama vs Georgia, actually to watch Jarvis Jones and Alec Ogletree, but couldn't help noticing Michael Williams showing up in the run game over and over again.

Any arguments against this guy being the best blocking TE in the class? In every Alabama game I've watched, opposing players just seem to stick to this guy. Once he's on them, they're out of the play.

He's a phenomenal run blocker which is where he's going to be his bread and butter in the NFL. He just doesn't have the speed to be a receiving threat at TE in the NFL. He can be a late round pick for a team that needs a blocking TE but he'll never be more than that.

DrewyVuitton · 02-24-2013, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diabsoule

He's a phenomenal run blocker which is where he's going to be his bread and butter in the NFL. He just doesn't have the speed to be a receiving threat at TE in the NFL. He can be a late round pick for a team that needs a blocking TE but he'll never be more than that.

Yeah never mistook him to be a threat as a receiver but he's spectacular at blocking. For a team that likes to run 2-TE sets, he could get in a ton of snaps.

He's one of the best blocking TE's I ever remember looking at and he's serviceable as an outlet. No speed, but he's got soft hands and would be fine on delays or as a check down on the bootleg.

Leon Sandcastle · 02-24-2013, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdmgrand

I want the Browns to pick him up early in the 5th Round to be a compliment to Cameron for the future. I actually really liked what I saw of Cameron and hope the Browns do not pick a TE any earlier, especially another one who is one dimensional as a receiver like Cameron.

I'm actually happy he did not get an invite to the combine; it will keep his stock in the late 4th, early 5th.

Ditto. Want the Bills to take a hard look at him in the 5th especially considering Marrone's system is dependent on good blocking TE's.

niel89 · 02-26-2013, 07:26 PM

A good run blocking #2 TE who can also play some solid special teams is worth a roster spot, but is he worth anything more than a 6th or so? He has pretty low production in college and will he be anything more in the NFL?

DrewyVuitton · 02-26-2013, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niel89

A good run blocking #2 TE who can also play some solid special teams is worth a roster spot, but is he worth anything more than a 6th or so? He has pretty low production in college and will he be anything more in the NFL?

I've been saying "run blocking" but his pass pro is impressive as well. I think he can line up as an H-back as well, Alabama used him out of the backfield as a lead blocker often.

I'd say he's plenty worth a 5th. Especially if he makes your FB expendable.