I have started to see quite a few mock drafts with us selecting the DT from Ten Dan Williams, as our pick at 12 and I wanted to get your opinion of him. Is he worthy of being picked there, what he accomplished in College, does he have any red flags and if you guys think his game will transistion well into the NFL. Any feedback is appreciated.
I think when all is said and done, Dan Williams will be the pick for the Dolphins. He in not the sexy pick (Bryant) but he would fill a position of need and help build the defense that was exploited up the middle last year. IMO, it all starts with NT.
Rev, I am thinking the same thing. I think we target a LB in FA and maybe trade for Boldin and then Williams will be the pick. From your knowledge is he worthy?
The NT just became a necessity with Wllfork, Hampton & Franklin tagged. I defitnetly will be keeping an eye on Williams
Dan Williams is a big, physical defensive tackle with great strength. He's got a very thick and powerful base, and he knows how to use that lower body strength. He has the ability to take on and hold his ground against two blockers. He's a prototype two gapping nose tackle in my view. I think he is a bit remedial in his hand useage. If you compare him to a guy like Ndamukong Suh who I think can also play in a two gapping schem and on the nose, you can see a drastic difference in hand use. Ndamukong is a true read and react type player. He gets his arms extended and delivers a powerful punch to the lineman. He reads both gaps, and when he locates the side the play is going, he does a great job of shedding the blocker. Dan Williams makes the initial contact, but he doesn't extend his arms like Suh does. Because of this, he does struggle at times to shed the blocker. What he does that is impressive though is hold his ground. I think with coaching, he can get better with his hand use, and he has the strength to toss the blocker to the side. The big negative with Dan Williams is that he has very little burst when going to the quarterback. He's strictly a run down defensive tackle at this point. He will be stout at the point of attack, but he will give you very little in the way of a pass rush up the middle. I think the most intriguing player who Miami may look at as a possible nose tackle is Jared Odrick. I don't think he plays with the power that either Suh or Williams have, but he is probably better at using his hands than both. Odrick looks to make the initial contact and then immediately tries to get off the block. Where Suh is in more of a read and react mode, Odrick is looking to get off his block and push the pocket. Odrick is very, very good with his hands. In my view, he's probably the best defenive tackle in this draft at using his hands to disengage from the blocker. As I said, I wish he played with a little more power. I have questions whether he can play nose tackle in the long run, but I'm intrigued with him based on what I think the Dolphins are actually looking for in a nose tackle. It may surprise some that what they see as a prototype nose tackle may not be what Miami is looking for. When they drafted Phillip Merling, they drafted him based on the idea that he could be a pressure player from the "5" technique and "4" technique positions. I think with Odrick, they could be thinking that he has the ability to give them pressure from a "0" technique and a "1" tecnique.
Thanks for the feedback KB. Earlier in the offseason I seen his name more towards the end of the round and begining of the second, but here recently I have seen him up around 9-12 and wanted to see what kind of player he was. I see a lot people looking at Cam Harris or Thomas for NT any opinion on him?
I've heard that teams are looking at Odrick like a DE or NT on passing downs, to take a guy that can only help us out on passing downs as a NT...not in my interest Dan Williams is a beast and he should def be picked...he is the best NT prospect, the only thing he is missing is a good pass rush threat...but how many NT are legit pass rush threats? he's also the size the Tirfecta look at for any d-line position above 6'-0" and below 320 lbs thats why I dont think Cody will be selected
Dan Williams is rising fast. When its all said and done I think he has to be in the picture for Buffalo at 9 and after that both Denver and us. If Bryant is gone, and we sign Dansby, then I would have to find another top pairing of need and talent in one player. With him and Solai that would be a very solid rotation with Starks, Merling, Langford and McDaniels at the end spots most likely.
it will be interesting to see what happens with Fergie ... but IF we do pick at #12, then i agree that it will be a DL that Parcells fall in love with ... and not WR or LB. Whether that be Williams or Odrick (or if someone else falls), not really sure .... but Boom will probably give us a pretty good indication over the next 4 weeks with private workouts, etc ...
He does have a thick and powerful base but I disagree with you on him knowing how to use it. He doesn't have a clue when it comes to pad level and hand use IMO. His pad level is often high and he loses leverage because his hand placement is off often. IMO, he does have a powerful punch off the snap but its not consistent. He also doesn't lock out his arms consistently. What I do like about him however, is how well he runs laterally and how he can get back into the play. I also think he locates the ball carrier in the backfield well. He's just a huge risk IMO. He needs a lot of work IMO. He's a guy that I can see not panning out. Inconsistent motor as well. I spent the day watching Dan Williams tape and breaking down every single snap he was a part of in two games. He's got a good rip move but its not consistent, a theme with him.
