From now until the 2018 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to showcase as many prospects as possible and examine both their strengths and weaknesses. Most of these profiles will feature individuals that the Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to have an interest in, while a few others will be top-ranked players. If there is a player you would like us to analyze, let us know in the comments below.
Darrel Williams /LSU RB – 5’11” 229 lbs.
The Good
–Low college touches after playing behind Fournette and Guice
–Powerful lower body/good leg drive (short yardage option)
–Soft hands on dump offs and shorter passes
–Nice jump cut
–Downhill runner who runs under his pads
–Big, bruising muscular frame
–Used in wildcat formation (direct snap to him)
–Decent in pass protection
The Bad
–Not much college experience playing behind Fournette and Guice (6 starts only split between junior and senior years)
–Will be 23 years old in April
–Takes time to build up speed
–Stiff hips and just ok vision
–Doesn’t create on his own
Bio
–2018 Senior Bowl participant
–2017 LSU Most Valuable Player
–Rated a four star recruit by Rivals, 247 Sports, and Scouts.com
–Former high school quarterback, who ran for 2,201 yards and 32 touchdowns as a high school senior.
–College career statistics: 321 carries for 1,621 rushing yards (5.1 ypc) with 19 touchdowns and added 38 receptions for 462 receiving yards (12.1 ypr)
–Uses yoglates (part yoga/part pilates) to keep in shape.
Tape Breakdown
Set up in an empty set on a first and 10, the runner gets the ball and seems very reliant on his blockers to set the rushing lane. Williams needs to steady himself putting his hand on the pulling center’s back. #28 does not see the cutback lane and gets strung out, then swallowed up by the defense for a minimal gain. This play shows his vision issues and his stiff hips.
Lined up in a single back formation, Williams sees that all of his linemen have put a hat on a hat driving the defenders back. He finds a lane, stays low while keeping his legs driving, and fights through contact. This shows off his leg drive and balance that helps create a 9-yard gain, that got blocked for 4 yards tops.
Lined up beside the QB in the shotgun formation, #28 screams across the line of scrimmage into the flat. He catches the pigskin in stride, making sure both feet are in bounds maintaining his balance. I like the way this play shows off his quickness and soft hands in the passing game.
Once again the back lines up beside the signal caller in the shotgun formation, the back sneaks out to the flat while the Syracuse defenders are bearing down on the Tiger QB. Williams catches the ball in stride and starts to accelerate down the sidelines. #28 shows that he is a dangerous open field runner with some burst to spare on that 54-yard gain.
Faced with a third and 12 situation in a familiar spot next to the signal caller in shotgun, #28 steps up at the snap frontside to face a blitzing corner. He sets his base, gives up a little ground, and shadows his defender until the LSU quarterback launches the pass downfield. I like the way he set his base, kept contact, and flowed with the blitzer until the ball got launched. This will give him more opportunities to see the field with that kind of protection.
Williams is a low cost change of pace back that has room to grow. He should be available in the sixth to seventh round. The former LSU runner is not quick twitched and is more of a plodder, but has soft hands and can run between the tackles when blocked well. If the Steelers are in the market for a rookie back, Williams could make a nice, cheap investment.
Projection: Later Third Day
Games Watched: 2018 Senior Bowl, vs. Syracuse, vs. Texas A&M, vs. Missouri (2016)
