Leonard Williams: USC DT a Top-5 Pick in 2015 NFL Draft

Very rarely can we label a prospect a sure-fire top-5 prospect, but USC DT Leonard Williams looks like just that when looking at the 2015 NFL Draft. The junior doesn’t have to declare this season, but since he’s being compared to former South Carolina Gamecocks DE Jadeveon Clowney, it’s pretty safe to predict that he’ll be headlining next year’s class.

Williams has freaky size and athleticism – something that shows as soon as you turn on his tape. He looks like one of those high-school prospects that are clearly so much better than everyone else on the field, except Williams is in college and playing on a top-level team against elite offenses.

How is he doing it? Here’s a quick rundown of him as a prospect:

• Listed at 6’5″, 300 pounds, Williams looks more like a 6’7″ tight-end. His physique is impressive, as it looks like he could play any position on the field.
• With this size, he plays with extreme athleticism that doesn’t come with most defensive tackles. It’s very rare that you can find a guy that can be effective on the inside, but can out-duel big guards with big wing-span and quick reactions.
• While most defensive tackles are labeled “stiff” and “heavy-footed”, Williams isn’t either. He possesses a hard-working frame on the inside that allows him to be a very good pass rusher. With good pressure and his long arms, quarterbacks will have a tough time getting the ball over the middle.
• There are few weaknesses here. The only things I can pinpoint, and they’re pretty nit-picky things: he doesn’t have a tremendous burst off the ball and he isn’t the strongest lineman I’ve ever seen. Again, these are little things that won’t have an effect on his draft stock.

Williams is coming back from a minor shoulder injury, and should have a nice finish to the season. Right now, I’d label him a solid top-10 pick that is likely to go top-5 if he declares.