Andre Williams NFL Draft 2014: Highlights, Scouting Report for Giants RB

Andre Williams, RB, (HT: 5’11⅜”, WT: 230 lbs)

New York Giants

Fourth Round: 113th Pick 

NFL Comparison: Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Height	Weight	Arm	Hand
5113	230	33 1/2"	9"

40-yd dash	10-yd split	Vert	Broad	3-Cone	Shuttle
4.56	1.56	38"	10'9"	7.27	4.06

Positives

• Displays very good power and gains yards after contact. Lowers his shoulder and displays the ability to bowl over defenders in the open field.
• Demonstrates good balance, bouncing off of would-be tacklers and staying on his feet.
• Excelled outside the tackles, where he explodes with a full head of steam.
• A big back with the necessary size to hold up to NFL punishment.
• Fairly decisive north-south style, is at his best when running downhill and punishing defenders.
• Decent speed and acceleration for his size, ran a 4.56 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine.
• Will put his nose down and grind out the tough yards.
• Able to break tackles with his combination of size, power and decisiveness. Can be very difficult to bring down once he has built up some speed.
• Utilizes a stiff arm to help keep defenders at bay.
• Had a good performance at the combine, where he finished near the top of his position group in several events.
• Possesses long 33.5” arms.
• Extraordinarily productive during his breakout senior season, rushing for over 2,000 yards and breaking several school records. Had four games in which he ran for over 250 yards.

Negatives

• Very little experience as a receiver with only 10 career receptions at Boston College, none of which came in his breakout senior season.
• Does not demonstrate natural hands and appears to have a limited catch radius.
• May lack the speed to turn the corner at the next level and can be caught from behind the open field.
• Poor pass protection technique, does not use his hands or sustain blocks. Must do a better job of sliding his feet to mirror and using his length to keep rushers at bay.
• Lacks exceptional quickness, unable to change direction well or make dynamic cuts.
• Not very elusive, does not make many defenders miss and is unable to make himself skinny in the hole.
• Can be stood up on contact, leg drive is inconsistent. Has a tendency to turn his back in traffic.
• Ball security is a concern, struggled with fumbles while at Boston College.
• Could be labeled a “one-year wonder.” Averaged 4.5 yards per carry and rushed for only 10 touchdowns prior to his senior season.
• Currently is not well-rounded enough to be considered a potential feature running back in the NFL, appearing destined for a complementary or backup role.

Year	Team	Car	Yds	Avg	TD
2010	Boston College	95	461	4.9	2
2011	Boston College	124	517	4.2	4
2012	Boston College	130	584	4.5	4
2013	Boston College	355	2177	6.1	18

Personal Notes

• First-team All-American 2013.
• First-team All-ACC 2013.
• Doak Walker Award 2013.
• Heisman Trophy finalist 2013.
• Earned his degree in applied philosophy and human development 2013.
• Athletic Director’s award for Academic Achievement 2012.

Ratings Chart

nces.ed.gov

Overall

The nation’s leading rusher as a senior, Andre Williams carried his Boston College team to a bowl game. A big back with bruising power and great balance, he breaks tackles and gains yards after contact.

His Achilles' heel as a prospect, however, is his lack of contribution to the passing game, where he struggles as both a receiver and pass protector.

Those deficiencies could prevent him from locking down a bell-cow role at the next level and he appears destined for a complementary or backup job in an NFL backfield.

Draft Projection: 4th-5th Round