Why Washington Redskins Absolutely Must Draft Leonard Williams
The NFL likes to think it changes a lot. New schemes always beget new eras. But it doesn't matter if this is the era of the pass, the spread, the read-option, fire zone blitz, or whatever the New England Patriots come up with next.
One thing never changes in the NFL: success is born in the trenches. Perhaps no team in football knows this better than the Washington Redskins. More specifically, they know what life looks like without strength up front.
It looks like a 4-12 finish behind an offensive line that surrenders 58 sacks and a defense that finishes 30th in points because there aren't any impact players up front. The Redskins have a lot to fix this offseason, but solving the latter problem can be easy.
TOP NEWS
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Colts Release Kenny Moore
Projecting Every NFL Team's Starting Lineup 🔮
Rookie WRs Who Will Outplay Their Draft Value 📈
It would simply require selecting USC defensive tackle Leonard Williams with the fifth overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft.
Yes, this team has major needs along the O-line and in the secondary. But if Williams is still on the board, Washington simply has to take him.
Changes in the defensive scheme and the background of new play-caller Joe Barry have made Williams more relevant. Specifically, those changes relate to a more aggressive version of the 3-4 scheme Washington has run since 2010.
Head coach Jay Gruden confirmed what the tweaked scheme will look like, per Mike Jones of The Washington Post: "You know, we’re gonna mess with the way we do the 3-4, you know? There will be some different ideas that we have, as far as it’s not a two-gap 3-4. It might be more of a shoot-the-gap-type of 3-4, a get-up-the-field-and-rush-them 3-4, you know what I mean?"
Gruden's typically blunt description would suit Williams perfectly. He's certainly not your classic interior D-lineman.
In fact, the 6'5", 300-pounder is a pure playmaker up front. His quickness, length and agility are phenomenal for both his position and size.
There's a comparison to be made with a former NFC East terror, although it won't be one Redskins fans appreciate. Williams most closely resembles current Dallas Cowboys defensive tackles coach Leon Lett.
Like Lett, he's cat-quick, long-armed and flexible. When Lett was at his best, he demanded a double-team and had the ability to take a game over. Williams has that same potential.
It's rare to see any snap of the Trojans' defense where Williams hasn't drawn the attention of two blockers. He frequently generates an awesome push on the pocket, routinely rocking blockers back on their heels or shoving them into a runner or the quarterback.
In this context, creating plays for others is a defining feature of Williams' game. Whenever he occupies two blockers, linebackers and fellow linemen are free to run to the ball.
The inside push regularly forces plays away from Williams. Runs are bounced outside, while his interior pressure often sends a fleeing quarterback into the arms of another pass-rusher.
In the early stages of USC's 38-20 loss to rival UCLA back in late-November, Williams showcased how he can wreck an offense without actually making the play. On one interior pass rush, he forced Bruins passer Brett Hundley into fellow D-tackle Antwaun Woods, who claimed the sack.
Earlier in the game, Williams had moved outside to end. He immediately drew two blockers which allowed a blitzing cornerback to come clean off the edge.
Hundley's view was obscured thanks to the pressure. His pass was intercepted and returned for a quick score by linebacker Anthony Sarao.
Whatever defense Williams lands on he'll draw a crowd and his team-mates will all benefit from his presence.
But Williams' game isn't just one in the service of others. He'll quickly become the focal point of a defense because of his tremendous flexibility.
That quality is evidenced by the multiple roles he plays for the Trojans. He can play 3-technique in the guard-tackle B-gap, a position that's very relevant in the type of 3-4 front Gruden envisages.
Williams occasionally also takes a flexed alignment just off the line of scrimmage. This position lets him run numerous twists and stunts, a major advantage for a three-man-front defense.
But Williams can also be kicked outside to end, as he often is at USC. He will sometimes align in a four-point, sprinter-style stance to maximize his breathtaking speed off the edge. Williams will even attack as a standing rusher, which he did on the corner blitz that led to Hundley's pick-six.
Scheme versatility is one of Williams' most appealing qualities, according to B/R draft analyst Matt Miller:
Miller compares Williams to New York Jets fleet-of-foot behemoth Sheldon Richardson. It's an apt comparison because the Jets get to do a ton of things up front thanks to the versatility of their linemen.
Richardson and the brilliant Muhammad Wilkerson are like walking, talking, physically destructive Crackerjack sets. It's the same with Williams.
Washington's new defensive coordinator knows the value of multi-use linemen. Barry comes to D.C. after serving on the staff for the San Diego Chargers.
He assisted a unit that counts lightning-fast tackle Corey Liuget as its centrepiece. The Chargers also boast powerful end Kendall Reyes.
Whether the Chargers are in their base or nickel package, Liuget and Reyes are key to everything they do. Barry could recreate a similar double act by pairing Williams with veteran holdover Jason Hatcher.
The latter was a disappointment in 2014 while being slowed by injuries. But when healthy, Hatcher plays in the same quick-striking style Williams has already made his niche.
Put a massive nose tackle in between this nimble pairing and Washington's 3-4 front will have far more big-play potential than in recent seasons. That's how the Jets work it with Richardson and Wilkerson flanking 350-pounder Damon Harrison.
The Redskins would have more scheme flexibility with two move playmakers up front. Barry could show the 1-gap looks Gruden hinted at. But he could also shift Williams and Hatcher into wide alignments and have rush linebackers such as Ryan Kerrigan twist inside.
Alternatively, the new-look front three could show a 46-style Bear look with both guards and the center covered up. This is similar to how the Arizona Cardinals often plays things with Frostee Rucker, Dan Williams and Calais Campbell. The front is strong against the run and offers a myriad of blitz possibilities.
Being able to show different looks and combine single-gap, 3-4 and 4-3 principles would be a major asset for Barry. He's coming from a 3-4 system that U-T San Diego reporter Michael Gehlken described to B/R's Adam Lefkoe as being very close to a 4-3 in design and intent:
But if you want show different looks, you have to possess the linemen who can do it. Williams can be that player for Washington.
The Redskins defensive front lacks impact. When you look at the personnel it's easy to quickly ask, where's the Richardson, Wilkerson, Liuget, Campbell or Haloti Ngata-like presence? Where's the lineman who will dictate what an offense can and can't do?
By drafting Williams, Washington can provide Barry with a legitimate blue-chip talent to build his first defense around.
Williams would be a massive boost to a unit that logged just 36 sacks in 2014. Only 10.5 came from the defensive line, per statistics via NFL.com.
Williams is the dominant presence this team needs up front. Of course, a lot will depend on whether he's still on the board when Washington's new general manager Scot McCloughan makes his first pick.
NFL.com Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah believes he will be and Washington should seize the chance to take him. However, Jeremiah's fellow analyst Bucky Brooks believes Williams won't make it past the second overall pick.
Meanwhile, CBS Sports writer Dane Brugler believes Williams will be snapped up by the Jacksonville Jaguars. That's a view shared by B/R's Miller and Sports Illustrated reporter Chris Burke.
But if Williams is there when they pick, the Redskins must take him.
Obviously, safety remains a major weakness, along with the O-line. But Washington isn't tied in to using the fifth overall pick to solve either of them.
Ball hawks such as Gerod Holliman and Cody Prewitt likely won't hear their names called until the second or third rounds. Similarly, cornerbacks Marcus Peters, Jalen Collins and Eric Rowe will also have to wait.
Washington struck gold with Bashaud Breeland in Round 4 last year. The team can afford to be patient again.
As for the offensive front, McCloughan might feel the veteran market offers more intriguing solutions. Guards Mike Iupati and Clint Boling have strong respective ties to Washington's general manager and head coach.
Perhaps 2014 third-rounder Morgan Moses will be given another shot at making the problematic right tackle spot his own.
While there are options elsewhere, defensively things are a lot more sketchy up front. Jarvis Jenkins and Chris Neild are set to enter free agency.
Meanwhile, Stephen Bowen and Barry Cofield Jr. each carry bloated contracts. Both players are 30, while Hatcher is 32.
If McCloughan wants to get younger up front, he won't find a player as dynamic as Williams in free agency unless he hands out an Albert Haynesworth-style contract to Ndamukong Suh.
The safer bet is to roll the dice on Williams' potential. It's not even that much of a gamble given how little is missing from his overall game.
From a personal perspective, one minor gripe concerns effort. Williams' lateral pursuit can be questioned. While he'll stop pretty much everything run his way, it would be nice to see more consistent hustle to chase down plays run away from him.
Williams is also so dominant it's often easy to ask why he doesn't stop every play. His numbers are good: Seven sacks, one interception, 80 combined tackles, including 9.5 for loss, three forced fumbles and as many passes broken up, per CFBStats.com.
But he's just so incredibly athletic you can wonder if he puts everything he has into each snap. That could be a problem with effort, but it could just as easily be the curse of being so gifted he makes the game look easy.
From an athletic perspective, the talent cannot possibly be overstated. When watching Williams move, it's easy to believe you're seeing a safety trapped inside a lineman's body. You just wait for him to pull the zipper and reveal it's been Troy Polamalu in his prime at the controls all along.
Williams' inside move, initial quickness and general flexibility are incredible. They make him the kind of player you never pass on.
Washington has other needs, despite problems up front. But McCloughan has already indicated he won't draft for need, per Real Redskins blogger Rich Tandler.
It's hard to believe any player will rate higher on his big board than Williams.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
