Jonathan Williams NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Bills Rookie

POSITIVES

A senior running back with 24 career starts, Jonathan Williams sat out the entire 2015 season after suffering a foot injury in fall camp that required surgery. He returned in time to participate in the Senior Bowl and NFL combine.

Williams, who turned 22 on February 2, dominated the SEC in 2014, rushing for 1,190 yards and 12 touchdowns on just 211 carries. At 220 pounds on a chiseled 5'11" frame, Williams is built for the pros. Under that hulking body, Williams has the quick feet to stutter-step and go when meeting a defender. He shows loose knees and the balance to shake in the hole and explode into space. Williams can create on his own—both laterally and by lowering his pads and going forward.

One big positive is that Williams' injury, along with his shared carries with Alex Collins, means he saw fewer carries than most top-tier backs in this class. Williams toted the rock just 406 times in his college career and absorbed hits well with his larger frame and low running style. He has the balance and body control to roll off tacklers both in the hole and in space.

On third down, Williams can be an exciting playmaker on swing passes and screen plays. He's comfortable running routes and looks the ball into his hands like a seasoned pro.

If Williams can regain his 2014 form, he could be one of the best running backs in the class.

NEGATIVES

Williams was healthy enough to come back for postseason activities, but NFL teams will be thorough in evaluating his foot post-surgery.

Outside of the injury, Williams has to become better at securing the ball as a runner. He fumbled five times in 2014 alone and struggled with ball-handling at the Senior Bowl. That struggle will be accentuated in the NFL if he continues to dance and get cute as a runner behind the line of scrimmage. With his size and speed, Williams shouldn't look to bounce runs outside as often as he does. He's searching for the big run instead of moving the chains.

Whether he has the vision to see small holes—and the willingness to attack them—is the biggest on-field question in Williams' game. He often bypasses solid inside rushing lanes—either by choice or because he's not seeing them—and looks for the outside avenue.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 5'10 3/4"

Weight: 220 lbs.

40 Time:  4.59s

3-Cone: 6.97s

Short Shuttle: 4.29s

PRO COMPARISON: Carlos Hyde, San Francisco 49ers
FINAL GRADE: 6.25/9.00 (Round 3—Future Starter)