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Javonte Williams making his case as a top RB in the 2021 NFL Draft

By Sayre Bedinger

Nov 14, 2020; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Javonte Williams (25) scores a touchdown as Wake Forest Demon Deacons defensive backs Caelen Carson (29) and Nick Andersen (45) defend in the fourth quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2020; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Javonte Williams (25) scores a touchdown as Wake Forest Demon Deacons defensive backs Caelen Carson (29) and Nick Andersen (45) defend in the fourth quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Javonte Williams is making a case for RB1 status in the 2021 NFL Draft.

The NFL needs running backs who can do a little bit of everything. The days of big, powerful, downhill runners being top picks in the NFL Draft and featured pieces in NFL offenses are mostly behind us, with a few exceptions in today’s NFL (Derrick Henry, anyone?).

Because of the way teams cycle through running backs, they are not nearly as highly sought after as they once were, which makes them great values on an almost annual basis.

The 2021 NFL Draft has some special players at the running back position like Clemson’s Travis Etienne and Alabama’s Najee Harris, but there could be a new RB1 emerging for this class — North Carolina’s Javonte Williams.

Williams has been fantastic so far in the 2020 season for the Tar Heels, carrying the ball 120 times for 868 yards (7.2 yards per carry) with 15 touchdowns on the ground. He has also added 18 receptions for 247 yards with another trio of touchdowns as a receiver.

His 18 touchdowns in eight games this season are the best in college football, even though every player near the top of the list has played a different number of games.

Even considering the impact of COVID-19 on the college football season, Williams’ ascent this season has been impressive.

Now with back-to-back seasons with over 1,000 all-purpose yards, Williams has proven his worth as a three-down back. Not only is he an excellent runner and receiver, but Williams can also deliver punishing blocks as well.

The further this season goes along, the more NFL scouts are going to be exposed to Williams’ three-down ability, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see a similar ascent for him in the 2021 NFL Draft as we saw from LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Williams has arguably better traits and overall tape than Edwards-Helaire did coming out of LSU, though obviously the Kansas City Chiefs prioritized him for his fit in their offense.

It’s clear that Williams is seeing the field very well, and despite being a 220-pound back, he has the ability to beat people with speed and explosiveness as well as his power, balance, and tackle-breaking abilities.

Next. Justin Fields, Zach Wilson rising in 2021 NFL mock draft. dark

This guy is the real deal and one of the best players in college football right now.

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