Sylvester Williams in a Make-or-Break Season for the Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos are moving to a 3-4 defense in 2015. New defensive coordinator Wade Phillips is known for constructing and unleashing an aggressive defense, and he’ll bring that to the Broncos this season.

The new scheme seems to be a better fit for the personnel in place. Outside linebackers like Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware could go wild in this scheme and put up phenomenal numbers in 2015. The secondary should be able to feast on opposing quarterbacks due to a more aggressive defensive front.

The biggest question mark is arguably at the most important spot—nose tackle.

The Broncos let Terrance Knighton move on in free agency to Washington. They now look to 2013 first-round pick Sylvester Williams to be the fulcrum of their new defense. It’s a risky move given Williams’ recent play and lack of experience at nose tackle.

In a recent interview with the Denver Post’s Troy E. Renck, Williams explained that he knows the pressure is on him to perform.

"It means a lot that they have faith in me. I know that the pressure is on. I decided to stay here [in Denver] rather than go to Miami. It was the best thing for me to get ready. This is a big season."

This is a make-or-break season for Sylvester Williams. Let’s take a look at how he’ll potentially fit in the new defense.

Alignments and Responsibilities

In the video below, Phillips himself discusses the alignments and responsibilities in the 3-4 defense.

Noseguard in Phillips’ defense has what he calls a “Plus A” gap. That is the “A” gap to the tight end’s side of the formation. A smaller defensive tackle (Williams could play around 315 pounds this year) who cannot control the center should be stunted towards that gap.

Phillips should have Williams “shade” to that gap. Instead of lining up straight in front of the center, we could see Williams line up on the outside eye of the center.

If Williams can be quick off the snap, he should be able to win consistently at the point of attack. His play up front can help free the linebackers behind him (Brandon Marshall, Danny Trevathan) to make plays.

In addition to Phillips, the Broncos have a new defensive line coach in Bill Kollar. General manager John Elway is confident in Kollar’s ability to get the best out of his players. “If there’s anyone who can get the best out of Sylvester, it’s him.” Elway told me earlier this year at the scouting combine.

The Decline

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

Williams didn’t see the field much during the first half of his rookie season. He began 2013 as a reserve defensive tackle behind Knighton and Kevin Vickerson. When Vickerson went down with a hip injury in Week 12 against the New England Patriots, Williams was thrust into the starting lineup.

With the pressure on to perform, Williams came through for the Broncos.

He regularly showed the attributes that made him a first-round pick. Williams was quick off the snap, and he did a good job of holding his own at the point of attack. Rarely would he get pushed back by an opponent, and he would sometimes eat up double-teams. His play over the last six games of the season—and through the postseason to the Super Bowl—showed the signs of good things to come.

Last year, Williams took on a larger role—but the results weren’t there. Renck notes Williams’ regression in his article, pointing out that Williams ranked 71st (via Pro Football Focus) among all qualifying defensive tackles in run defense.

Not only did his play slip as a run-defender, but Williams also failed to get any sacks after snaring two sacks in the final month of the 2013 season.

From my observations at practice and during games, weight never seemed to be an issue for Williams. There were certainly times when stamina became a problem, but a big defensive tackle being winded at altitude in the second half is not really an earth-shattering revelation.

Williams did not show the same quick “get off” the snap as he did on film at North Carolina and during his rookie season with the Broncos. He also seemed to rarely get push against his man in one-on-one situations.

The Competition

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

The Broncos aren’t just going to hand Williams the starting nose tackle job. He will see competition for the spot during minicamp and training camp.

His main competition for the starting job will come from Marvin Austin.

A second-round pick by the New York Giants in 2011, injuries and inconsistencies caused Austin to bounce to three different teams before landing with the Broncos last offseason. Austin missed his senior season at North Carolina, but he was known as a dominant player with top-10 upside and ability. I remember watching in awe when Austin dominated during the week of practice for the East-West Shrine Game in 2011 (ironically with Wade Phillips as his coach for that game).

Austin measures in at 6’1” 309 pounds, and he has the functional strength to hold his own at the point of the play. He understands leverage, and Austin has the brute strength to toss unsuspecting opponents out of his way. So long as he’s healthy, Austin could make a realistic push for the starting nosetackle job.

One player who won’t be in the mix is Mitch Unrein. He’s now going to play for the division rival San Diego Chargers.

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Chargers announced they have signed former Broncos DL Mitch Unrein to a two-year contract.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2015"

With no free-agent defensive tackles added so far, the Broncos could turn to the 2015 NFL draft for more help at the position. According to NFLDraftScout.com, there could be three or more defensive tackles selected in the first round.

Players like Malcom Brown (Texas) or Jordan Phillips (Oklahoma) could be options for the Broncos with a first-day pick. Even though this is a deep draft class, many times defensive tackles take a few years to get acclimated to the pro game. The Broncos are in a Super Bowl window, and they need an impact player in the middle of the defense—not a developmental guy who is just getting up to speed.

Williams was a first-round pick for a reason. The Broncos should give him every opportunity to win the starting noseguard job in 2015.

Summary

This experiment could go any number of ways. Elway did not pull any punches when I asked him about Williams’ fit at nose tackle.

“Sylvester is one of those guys who needs to step up. He will be pushed and he will be challenged, and at the end of the day I think that’s good for Sylvester.” Elway emphasized.

How does Sylvester Williams fit in the 3-4 defense? We can only guess right now, and we may not have an answer until we get about halfway through this season.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted.

Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions. Draft grades provided by NFLDraftScout.com.