Leonard Williams: 2015 NFL Combine Results, Highlights and Twitter Reaction

One of the most agreed-upon players in the 2015 NFL draft class, Leonard Williams probably could have skipped the combine altogether and still been a top-five selection. Instead, the USC product hit the field and made a real case for why he should not only be the top defensive lineman taken but the top player overall.

Working in the day's second group of defensive linemen and linebackers, Williams was fluid in his on-field drills and performed admirably in agility drills—especially for a player listed at 6'5" and 302 pounds per his combine profile. He posted an official 40 time of 4.97 seconds, which is near the middle of the pack overall but above-grade for his position. (Williams was not able to complete the bench press, perhaps his best workout, due to a shoulder injury.)

Drill	Results
40-Yard Dash	4.97 Seconds
Bench Press	Did Not Participate
Vertical Jump	29.5 Inches
Broad Jump	106 Inches
3-Cone Drill	N/A
20-Yard Shuttle	N/A

Williams excelled at USC despite playing for three different defensive line coaches and a rotating set of schemes, finishing his career with 21 sacks. He's proven himself capable of disrupting plays in the backfield as a 4-3 defensive tackle and 3-4 defensive end, garnering some comparisons to former Patriots and Raiders great Richard Seymour.   

“I compare him to Richard Seymour, who is one of my favorite five-techniques (3-4 DE) of all time," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said, per Joe Fann of the Titans' website. "Richard Seymour could play up and down the line of scrimmage in any front – three-man front, four-man front, it didn’t matter. He could play every single position and that’s who I think Leonard Williams is, a guy with versatility who is gifted."

Williams went about proving that with a solid all-around workout. Moving beyond the 40, Williams had a 106-inch broad jump and 29.5-inch vertical leap, both numbers that ranked him average or slightly below among defensive linemen but are more than adequate when compared against his true peers.

For Williams, the concept of "true peers" may be fluid. Washington's Danny Shelton, who could also go inside the top 10 in April, is more of a nose guard than 4-3 defensive tackle. Oregon's Arik Armstead can move inside and out like Williams but is of a slighter build at 6'7" and 292 pounds. Armstead's superior numbers in some of the athletic training might trend in the opposite direction once he adds a little big of bulk.

Williams, it would seem, is on a playing field by himself at his position and competing only for where he falls within the top five. Both Mel Kiper and Todd McShay of ESPN.com have him going No. 2 to the Tennessee Titans. All but one of CBS Sports' draft experts feel the same.

As for Williams himself, he has his sights set on being one spot higher come April.

"I would say that, based on previous years, sometimes it's taking a chance when you take a quarterback. You never know what you're going to get," Williams told reporters at his press conference. "I would say that I'm going to bring the disruption, I'm going to bring that physicalness, I'm going to get to the quarterback and get some sacks."

Williams ultimately going No. 1 seems unlikely. Jameis Winston, viewed as the overwhelming favorite to land in Tampa, completed all 16 of his passes Saturday in a sterling workout that left scouts raving. It probably would have taken a nightmare outing from Winston or Marcus Mariota, who also had a strong all-around day, for Williams to move into favorite status.

The only thing that can likely ascend Williams to being the first player being announced by Roger Goodell is an injury or off-field problem for one of the two favorites. That said, Williams' combine was anything short of a disappointment. He came in, affirmed his status as the draft's best defensive lineman and walked out guaranteeing himself an eight-figure payday.

Not too bad. Not too bad at all.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter

All combine results are via NFL.com