How Leonard Williams Fits with the First 5 Teams Up in the NFL Draft

It is time to have a conversation about USC defensive tackle Leonard Williams, because he is the best prospect in the 2015 NFL draft. No, not the best defensive tackle prospect. The best overall prospect. Williams was quietly one of the best players in all of college football last season and remains overshadowed by higher profile players and positions in the upcoming draft.

However, every team in this draft could find a place for Williams with the understanding that he will have a significant impact. However, for this exercise, let’s break down the role and the impact of Williams on each of the teams picking in the top five. Reason being, when the draft finally gets here, there’s almost no chance any team outside of those five has a realistic shot at him, other than via a trade.

So, let’s take a look at how every one of these teams would be wise to draft Williams over the rest of the top players.

The Player

First off, let’s talk about Williams and his game. At 6’5” and 302 pounds, the massive Williams casts an imposing shadow. His length is evident in 34.625” arms and 10.625” hands. Williams’ wingspan along with that hulking frame give the impression his best fit is inside at a 3-technique tackle in a base 4-3 defense.

However, this is only part of Williams’ game. Yes, his game is all about power. At times, Williams just looks like a bully in the field, mauling players with his overwhelming strength advantage. But that only tells part of the story.

Williams has an explosive first step set off by all that strength. His punch is devastating and he makes most of his plays by keeping his head up and just relocating blockers wherever he feels like it. Along with that, Williams looks as if he would be able to carry about 20 pounds with ease.

Any team that drafts Williams will have the best power defensive lineman to come out since Marcell Dareus was drafted by the Buffalo Bills with pick No. 3 in the 2011 draft. In fact, there are many parallels to Williams’ game to where Dareus is now in the league, not the least of which is that overwhelming power.

Fortunately, Williams is not bound to be only an interior lineman as Dareus is. If there is a 3-4 team out there, drafting Williams to play a 5-technique defensive end is smart money. With his length, Williams could line up on the tackle and just bludgeon him off the ball with that punch. His length would give him a tremendous advantage in turning the corner and harassing quarterbacks.

Don’t believe me? NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah also considers Williams the most dominant player in the draft. 

"

Leonard Williams, from all the guys I've seen so far, has been the most dominating player, Everything you want -- the size, the length, the explosiveness, the versatility. You can play him all over the line on defense. He reminds me a lot of Richard Seymour. That's pretty good company to keep.

"

Jeremiah is spot on. There’s nothing Williams can’t do, and for that reason, all these top teams have to give him serious consideration.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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It is clear that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in desperate need of a starting quarterback. As of right now, Mike Glennon is the starter and Seth Lobato is the backup. So, of all the top teams, the Buccaneers are the ones lined up with the most to gain by a quarterback. Therefore, the team has the least reason to consider Williams.

However, imagine for a moment the raw power of Williams lined up next to defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. As good as Akeem Spence may or may not be, a tandem of McCoy and Williams would be terrifying to opposing offenses. No team could double both of them. One would have a favorable matchup on every play.

The Buccaneers aren't likely to select Williams, however the spot is there for him to be great. 

2. Tennessee Titans

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If it is to be believed that the Tennessee Titans are willing to roll the dice this season with Zach Mettenberger at quarterback, then this is a definite landing spot for Williams in the real draft. For this exercise, the fit of Williams on the Tennessee defense is near-perfect.

Tennessee employs a 3-4 base defense, which means drafting Williams is done with the intention of utilizing that brute force as a 3-4 defensive end. However, because of his versatility, Williams would be able to slide inside on passing downs and work as a 3-technique tackle and rush the passer.

There's very little Williams can't do, but playing in a 3-4 would offer him favorable matchups as a pass-rushing defensive end while he continues to tune his rush moves and counters.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars

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Among all the teams on this list, the Jacksonville Jaguars are the most fascinating in terms of the ways Williams could be utilized. If you wanted a team to showcase Williams’ versatility, Jacksonville is the place to do it. The Jaguars are one team where Williams’ potential to play even heavier could really be utilized.

The reason for this is the 4-3 defensive front that the Jaguars employ is somewhat unconventional. Jacksonville plays their fronts with a typical interior of 300-pound tackles. Williams would be well suited to play either spot. However, Jacksonville also plays an oversized left defensive end.

Starting defensive end Red Bryant is a 323-pound 4-3 defensive end, which is somewhat unorthodox. This sort of alignment really gives Williams three spots that he could dominate at. Turn him loose, move him around and keep offenses guessing as to where he is coming from next.

4. Oakland Raiders

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There is a great deal of synergy about having the former USC star stay on the west coast and play for the Oakland Raiders. Williams is a local hero and would have tons of fans in the crowd from day one. However, beyond that external benefit, having Williams on the team would greatly improve a struggling defense.

Looking at the scheme the Raiders are likely to employ, we see a situation very similar to the one in Jacksonville. Defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. worked in the Seattle Seahawks system, which is what Jaguars head coach Dan Quinn runs in Jacksonville.

That means Williams’ role in Oakland would be either as a big left defensive end or on the interior as a 3-technique tackle. Talent on the Oakland defensive line is pretty marginal, so the coaches would have their choice of where to put Williams in order to achieve the greatest impact.

5. Washington Redskins

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The last team on this list are the Washington Redskins. The Redskins are just excited to be back to a draft where they actually get a first-round pick. And trust me, Washington could do much worse than to bring in a game-changing lineman like Williams.

Washington is another team that uses a base 3-4 defense. This means that Williams would play a role very similar to the one he would if he were to be selected by the Titans. Williams would likely start at right defensive end opposite Ricky Jean-Francois. Williams could have a—dare I say it—J.J. Watt type of impact with outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan on the other side in passing situations.

Wiliams would eat up plodding right tackles and undersized tight ends. Running to his side would prove to be a challenge, as working in space on the edge gives Williams a great view to break down and react to plays.

All player data courtesy of Sports-Reference unless otherwise noted.

Depth chart information courtesy of OurLads.