D. Williams, USC WR...what the...

[SR 7]

can anyone explain why Damien Williams is rated so high and some experts say the most complete WR in the draft besides Bryant?

I mean I can't remember the last USC WR that came to the NFL and shined besides Keyshawn. Every USC WR is Tall as hell, dominates in college but doesn't even cut the 3rd spot on a roster in the NFL so whats so different about this guy?

 

[hoops]

i'm not impressed

 

[Breed]

can anyone explain why Damien Williams is rated so high and some experts say the most complete WR in the draft besides Bryant?

I mean I can't remember the last USC WR that came to the NFL and shined besides Keyshawn. Every USC WR is Tall as hell, dominates in college but doesn't even cut the 3rd spot on a roster in the NFL so whats so different about this guy?

The biggest difference I see is that he more creates separation. He's a lot quicker than some of the most recent USC receivers. I like Damien Williams a lot more than I ever liked Mike Williams, Dwayne Jarrett or Patrick Turner. I think his game translates better to the NFL.

 

[hoops]

he's not what we're looking for i can tell you that...i like him with the ball in his hands yac but i don't see any suddenness to his game...either out of cuts or any real acceleration plus i don't see top line speed...

meh

 

[Breed]

he's not what we're looking for i can tell you that...i like him with the ball in his hands yac but i don't see any suddenness to his game...either out of cuts or any real acceleration plus i don't see top line speed...

meh

In terms of ability, I think he's a lot closer to Steve Smith (Giants) than he is to Mike Williams/Dwayne Jarrett/Patrick Turner. There are other receivers I like better, but I wouldn't be upset if the Dolphins ended up taking Damien Williams.

 

[hoops]

he might help us but he isn't that guy we really need...watch him block on the run game...it's non existent...he's too soft and not quick twitch enough for me...i juts don't see much to get excited about when you're looking for a #1 wr

 

[Pachyderm_Wave]

Obviously....saying a USC wide receiver is one of the safest WR picks in the draft can almost warrant being admitted to a looney bin....that said....Damian Williams is one of the safest WR picks in the draft IMO...

I was very much against selecting Patrick Turner any earlier than the 6th or 7th round....and only then because at the time it was obvious Wilford was a bust signing and Miami needed a "big" WR.....I had a similar grade on him as Aaron Kelly from Clemson....big, tall WR's that didn't create much seperation..

However, if you disreguard all the USC WR busts recently...and just evaluate the player....Williams is one of the safer WR bets in this draft..

He's not a burner....and he's not a physical marvel....but he gets it done by doing all the little things well....I haven't seen a WR in this class that runs better routes than Williams....his hands are reliable....he struggles to break tackles and get YAC.....but he creates seperation with his route running and he's dangerous in the open field despite not having blazing speed...

I think he projects more as a solid #2 option at the next level and can be every bit as effective as former Trojan and Giants WR Steve Smith.....I think he's a solid early 2nd round pick...

 

[Awsi Dooger]

Obviously....saying a USC wide receiver is one of the safest WR picks in the draft can almost warrant being admitted to a looney bin....that said....Damian Williams is one of the safest WR picks in the draft IMO...

I was very much against selecting Patrick Turner any earlier than the 6th or 7th round....and only then because at the time it was obvious Wilford was a bust signing and Miami needed a "big" WR.....I had a similar grade on him as Aaron Kelly from Clemson....big, tall WR's that didn't create much seperation..

However, if you disreguard all the USC WR busts recently...and just evaluate the player....Williams is one of the safer WR bets in this draft..

He's not a burner....and he's not a physical marvel....but he gets it done by doing all the little things well....I haven't seen a WR in this class that runs better routes than Williams....his hands are reliable....he struggles to break tackles and get YAC.....but he creates seperation with his route running and he's dangerous in the open field despite not having blazing speed...

I think he projects more as a solid #2 option at the next level and can be every bit as effective as former Trojan and Giants WR Steve Smith.....I think he's a solid early 2nd round pick...

That's a very good summary. Damien Williams is unlike any recent USC receiver. He's very resourceful. If it's the end of a play and he has a tiny opening to dive for the first down, he'll find it. Like you said, all the little things well. He's got football smarts like the early '70s Dolphins and recent Patriots teams. Everyone on the USC message boards loves Williams, and that's been true for two years. And they are the most spoiled and negative posters I've ever seen, as a block.

Last year when we identified Turner in round 3 I was stunned because he clearly was not even USC's best receiver. I think I posted that here on draft night, that Williams was the clever dependable player, not Turner. This time, while I like Williams a great deal, he's never jumped out at me as a first round pick.

 

[#1dolphinsfan]

just because the other WRs to come out of USC have been busts doesnt mean this guy will be a bust i would rather have Tate, Benn, Bryant, Gilyard, or Thomas but i wouldnt mind Williams in the second round if we could get him there

 

[ONole1]

Obviously....saying a USC wide receiver is one of the safest WR picks in the draft can almost warrant being admitted to a looney bin....that said....Damian Williams is one of the safest WR picks in the draft IMO...

I was very much against selecting Patrick Turner any earlier than the 6th or 7th round....and only then because at the time it was obvious Wilford was a bust signing and Miami needed a "big" WR.....I had a similar grade on him as Aaron Kelly from Clemson....big, tall WR's that didn't create much seperation..

However, if you disreguard all the USC WR busts recently...and just evaluate the player....Williams is one of the safer WR bets in this draft..

He's not a burner....and he's not a physical marvel....but he gets it done by doing all the little things well....I haven't seen a WR in this class that runs better routes than Williams....his hands are reliable....he struggles to break tackles and get YAC.....but he creates seperation with his route running and he's dangerous in the open field despite not having blazing speed...

I think he projects more as a solid #2 option at the next level and can be every bit as effective as former Trojan and Giants WR Steve Smith.....I think he's a solid early 2nd round pick...

Great post and I completely agree with you. However, I could see the Jets taking him in round 1 because of the familiarity of he and Sanchez. The Jets need to improve the receivers and taking him and pairing up with Sanchez could reduce some of his learning curve.

As someone else said in this thread already he reminds me a lot of Steve Smith and not the other receivers out of USC.

 

[Awsi Dooger]

As someone else said in this thread already he reminds me a lot of Steve Smith and not the other receivers out of USC.

I don't know about the Steve Smith comparison. I don't think that works any better than to Mike Williams and Jarrett, etc.

Steve Smith is more of a churning type, playing lower with more quickness and a burst. Williams is smooth and angular and versatile, a steady reliable player. He'll catch the ball dependably but as someone else posted he won't get the YAC like Smith sometimes can.

 

[FinsFanatic777]

Obviously....saying a USC wide receiver is one of the safest WR picks in the draft can almost warrant being admitted to a looney bin....that said....Damian Williams is one of the safest WR picks in the draft IMO...

I was very much against selecting Patrick Turner any earlier than the 6th or 7th round....and only then because at the time it was obvious Wilford was a bust signing and Miami needed a "big" WR.....I had a similar grade on him as Aaron Kelly from Clemson....big, tall WR's that didn't create much seperation..

However, if you disreguard all the USC WR busts recently...and just evaluate the player....Williams is one of the safer WR bets in this draft..

He's not a burner....and he's not a physical marvel....but he gets it done by doing all the little things well....I haven't seen a WR in this class that runs better routes than Williams....his hands are reliable....he struggles to break tackles and get YAC.....but he creates seperation with his route running and he's dangerous in the open field despite not having blazing speed...

I think he projects more as a solid #2 option at the next level and can be every bit as effective as former Trojan and Giants WR Steve Smith.....I think he's a solid early 2nd round pick...

Route-running is basically make or break for a receiver in the NFL, IMO. Take a look at Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison... Did they have outstanding measureables? No. Did they burn opposing defenses? No. But they both are/were some of the best route-runners in the NFL, and that along with the precision of Manning was what made them so dynamic.

Damian Williams still possess pretty good speed and separation, and gets the job done. He also plays in a pro-style offense with a true freshman quarterback in what I think is the most conservative offense in the nation. Still, he put up great numbers. He isn't a typical USC bust WR; he's the real deal.