DE Leonard Williams NFL Draft Fits: Titans, Raiders, Bears
By Erik Lambert
Oct 11, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive end Leonard Williams (94) against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. The Trojans defeated the Wildcats 28-26. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
It isn’t quite unanimous but most scouting outlets agree that USC defensive end Leonard Williams is the best overall talent in the 2015 NFL draft. His mix of size, speed, power and production all line up with a future star in the pros. He proved that at the scouting combine.
Rest assured that many teams will feel they can use him in some form to make their defenses better, but when looking at it one must tread carefully on where he fits best. Here are some teams that have situations he could step into without missing a beat.
Tennessee Titans
There is a reason so many mock drafts are projecting Williams to the Tennessee Titans. He has the body and ability tailor-made to play defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. His length and power alone make him a factor when setting the edge against the run but it’s his burst off the snap and ability to generate pressure that sets him apart.
For the Titans it’s a no-brainer because taking Williams not only fills a key part of their defense, it also puts him on the same front as starting lineman Jurrell Casey, giving them two legitimate forces up front and relieving so much pressure on their outside linebackers.
Oakland Raiders
While a 3-4 may be his most natural fit, Leonard Williams has the kind of talent that will help him thrive in whatever scheme he plays. Many can see him as a high upside interior pass rusher for 4-3 teams or hybrid fronts. That is why the Oakland Raiders must be considered. Their defense continues to rebuild and now has a coordinator in Ken Norton Jr. who understands how to best use the talent he has.
On the other side, Oakland would be thrilled to get their hands on Williams because he gives them the exact tool that’s missing to take advantage of their young budding star in Khalil Mack who is making a home on the edge. Those two together would make a combination for years to come.
Chicago Bears
This will mark the first time in franchise history that the Chicago Bears have ever implemented the 3-4 defense. Vic Fangio is among the best in the league at coaching it but there is a lot of work for the team to do in order to get back to their typical dominant defensive ways.
Adding Williams at end would be a great way to start. The chances of that are slim with them sitting at #7 but if it were to happen, Chicago would suddenly have that critical next building block along with cornerback Kyle Fuller to genuinely get things going again in a hurry. Bears fans can only hope they’re so lucky.
Based on current projections, expect Williams to come off the board within the top five picks. That puts him squarely in the sights of Oakland and Tennessee.