OL Jonah Williams takes it to another level.

[CajunBillsBacker]

10 minutes ago, IgotBILLStopay said:

There is only one black mark against Jonah Williams. Clelin Ferrell appeared to schooled him in the national championship game.

For only like 3 plays.

 

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/nfl-draft-2019-inside-the-battle-between-clemsons-clelin-ferrell-alabamas-jonah-williams/

[IgotBILLStopay]

18 minutes ago, CajunBillsBacker said:

For only like 3 plays.

 

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/nfl-draft-2019-inside-the-battle-between-clemsons-clelin-ferrell-alabamas-jonah-williams/

The consequences of a Dlineman win vs. Olineman win are very asymmetric. It only takes one bad play by the Olineman to send the QB to the hospital.

 

That said, I do like Jonah Williams. He is one of the top 3 Olinemen in the draft. Just that I would prefer Jawaan Taylor or a Cody Ford over him. 

[frostbitmic]

#9 seems a wee bit high for a Guard.

[The Jokeman]

On 4/21/2019 at 3:43 PM, Buffalo Barbarian said:

 

Yep , Williams would be a good get !

Except he has physical limitations that might make him better in the interior in the NFL. I say no on Williams or any OL at pick 9 unless all the quality DL are gone as well as Hoch.

Edited April 22, 2019 by The Jokeman

[Chandler#81]

I’m in on Jonah.

[MacGyver]

Well, Gregg Williams had charts, I guess spreadsheets are even better!

[BuffAlone]

I can see the draft falling where no elite players are available at 9. If that's the case, Jonah could be a nice solid guy there, along with Dillard, Taylor,Hock, Wilkins, or Ferrell/Burns. Nothing spectacular, but solid for years to come.Hate to spend a 9th overall on such a pick, but whatyda do....

[Mat68]

I dont know how much upside Jonah Williams has left. Alamaba coach the Oline well.  He already seems to get it mentally, physically he is not dominating and plays with good technique and footwork.  He sounds like a guy who has reached his ceiling to me.  What  does that looks like as an NFL lineman?  Idk probably ok most the time but can get overwhelmed by the elite guys.  That is not the kind of pick I want in the top 10.  

Edited April 22, 2019 by Mat68

[OldTimer1960]

26 minutes ago, BuffAlone said:

I can see the draft falling where no elite players are available at 9. If that's the case, Jonah could be a nice solid guy there, along with Dillard, Taylor,Hock, Wilkins, or Ferrell/Burns. Nothing spectacular, but solid for years to come.Hate to spend a 9th overall on such a pick, but whatyda do....

I’m with you, but would add that the 9th pick in round 1 is in no way destined (nor really expected) to be a super star.  Finding a good starter at a key position is a win - anything better is gravy.

[OldTimer1960]

23 minutes ago, Mat68 said:

I dont know how much upside Jonah Williams has left. Alamaba coach the Oline well.  He already seems to get it mentally, physically he is not dominating and plays with good technique and footwork.  He sounds like a guy who has reached his ceiling to me.  What  does that looks like as an NFL lineman?  Idk probably ok most the time but can get overwhelmed by the elite guys.  That is not the kind of pick I want in the top 10.  

I’d hope for better than that, but realistically, getting a good starter is good at 9th overall.  At that point, you have to weigh what position he is a good starter at and if that is worth it vs other options.  If Williams can be a good, not great, starting LT then by all means he is worth the 9th pick (IMHO).  BUT, if he is only a good OG who won’t likely be resigned after his first contract, then look for other options.

[BuffAlone]

2 minutes ago, OldTimer1960 said:

I’m with you, but would add that the 9th pick in round 1 is in no way destined (nor really expected) to be a super star.  Finding a good starter at a key position is a win - anything better is gravy.

I hear ya bud...but if there ain't 10 possible elite players available in a draft, its a pretty weak year IMO. And IMO this year, the top 5 is solid, but drops considerably after that. Of course, there's always a 6th rd Brady to be had...just gotta match up the value, and hope for the best. C'mon Thursday!

[MJS]

Spreadsheets are great. I've made a career out of them. But he won't be a top draft pick because of that. It will be contingent upon his physical abilities. If he is physically dominant already and able to translate that to the NFL, that's when the extra stuff comes into play like game prep and spreadsheets. That could take him to another level, but only if the physical ability is already there.

 

I'm sure there have been a lot of smart players that prepared in innovative ways that washed out of the league because they couldn't match up physically.

[OldTimer1960]

Just now, BuffAlone said:

I hear ya bud...but if there ain't 10 possible elite players available in a draft, its a pretty weak year IMO. And IMO this year, the top 5 is solid, but drops considerably after that. Of course, there's always a 6th rd Brady to be had...just gotta match up the value, and hope for the best. C'mon Thursday!

I think we are saying the same thing - it might be the case that a good, not great, OL is BPA.  In that situation, I might prefer Christian Wilkins at DT because he fits a bigger need than a good OG or maybe OK OT, but Williams is younger than Wilkins and *might* therefore have more upside.  I think I prefer a DT over an OG, but both fit the character profile that the Bills are looking for.

[BuffAlone]

12 minutes ago, OldTimer1960 said:

I think we are saying the same thing - it might be the case that a good, not great, OL is BPA.  In that situation, I might prefer Christian Wilkins at DT because he fits a bigger need than a good OG or maybe OK OT, but Williams is younger than Wilkins and *might* therefore have more upside.  I think I prefer a DT over an OG, but both fit the character profile that the Bills are looking for.

Yup, I think we agree

[Buffalo Barbarian]

13 hours ago, The Jokeman said:

Except he has physical limitations that might make him better in the interior in the NFL. I say no on Williams or any OL at pick 9 unless all the quality DL are gone as well as Hoch.

 

 

“I think that it’s a small portion of what it takes to be a tackle at the next level,” Williams said. “I think if you look at a lot of the really successful tackles over the past 10 years from Joe Thomas, Joe Staley, Jake Matthews, Jason Peters, La’el Collins, Riley Reiff, Ryan Ramczyk -- just a couple of guys off the top of my head that have short arms -- I don’t think that that’s necessarily a huge deal.

“I think I’m proud of the way that I play, my approach to the game. That’s what makes me a great player. So, if my fingers were an eighth of an inch longer, it might be good enough.

Joe Staley

 

✔@jstaley74

 

 

extending my 33 inch arms to show you that. Measurables are for the birds

Todd McShay

 

✔@McShay13

 

Alabama OT Jonah Williams- 33 5/8” arms length. Doesn’t prevent him from playing OT in the NFL but certainly doesn’t help his cause. Ideally 34 1/2” or longer.

 

6,226

1:14 PM - Feb 27, 2019

Twitter Ads info and privacy

 

855 people are talking about this

 

 

 

 

https://247sports.com/college/alabama/Article/2019-NFL-Draft-Alabama-Football-OL-Jonah-Williams-responds-to-questions-about-his-arm-length-129586064/

 

 

[formerlyofCtown]

20 hours ago, The Senator said:

 

I knew nothing of this when months ago I started calling for the Bills to take Jonah Williams, but I feel even more strongly about him after reading this.

 

He’s ready to start at LT.  Move Dawson inside.

 

JMO

.

We cant move Dawson inside until we track him down and sign him.?

Edited April 23, 2019 by formerlyofCtown

[FeelingOnYouboty]

Chances of him being there at #9 are slim. Now if Carolina trades up with Detroit we're screwed out of Andre Dillard.

[The Senator]

2 hours ago, formerlyofCtown said:

We cant move Dawson inside until we track him down and sign him.

 

Strange, I thought Dion Dawkins was under contract thru 2020.

 

In fact, I’m sure he is.

.

 

[formerlyofCtown]

34 minutes ago, The Senator said:

 

Strange, I thought Dion Dawkins was under contract thru 2020.

 

In fact, I’m sure he is.

.

 

Lol You typed Dawson bud not Dawkins.  I forgot my sarcasm emoji but if you actually read both post you shoulda have been able to figure that out.

Edited April 23, 2019 by formerlyofCtown

[BillsMafia13]

22 hours ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

Good job by his agent.  Trust me, I’m not questioning his work ethic but there’s a reason this got out.

Good post and it’s a good question.  Do want solid or superstar but bust potential?  I think at worst Williams becomes a solid to good G.  Alabama o linemen are so hard to predict because they play next to 5 star recruits every where.

Agreed, scares me with guys who play on a dominant Dline like Clemson, its easier to make an impact when you're not the lone player everyone is watching out for.  But hasnt J.Williams been a 4 year LT starter at Bama?  Thats a pretty good floor to me. And everyone using his maxed out his potential already as a negative because other players have room to grow blows my mind.  This guy seems to have no wholes, other than short arms?, but is as well rounded and experienced as you will ever find in college.  Taylor might be more athletic but JWill seems incredibly safe

Edited April 23, 2019 by BillsMafia13

[The Senator]

39 minutes ago, formerlyofCtown said:

Lol You typed Dawson bud not Dawkins.  I forgot my sarcasm emoji but if you actually read both post you shoulda have been able to figure that out.

 

Oops!  My bad.

.

[KOKBILLS]

I want to preface this by saying I like Jonah...He's the best technician I've seen on the O-line in quite some time...His footwork is excellent...He's a damn good College player...

 

But...

 

Of the potential picks for the Bills at #9 he is the guy that excites me the absolute least...

 

He's going to get manhandled at times...He's 6-4-302 but looks lighter...I'm not sure about him at OG going up against those monster DT's either...

 

I do think he's in the Riley Reiff, Bulaga mold...That's not a bad thing...But...IMHO there will be better options at #9 guaranteed...If the Bills were to go O-Line at #9 I would hope it's Taylor or Dillard...I think they have much better upside...?

[LabattBlue]

I've read that Williams has short arms.  Is it really that big of a deal if his arms are 2" shorter than your average OT?  Can't you make up for that with great technique/athleticism?

[The Senator]

3 minutes ago, LabattBlue said:

I've read that Williams has short arms.  Is it really that big of a deal if his arms are 2" shorter than your average OT?  Can't you make up for that with great technique/athleticism?

 

Or maybe just grow longer fingernails?

.

[Mr. WEO]

On ‎4‎/‎21‎/‎2019 at 3:46 PM, Logic said:

I'm just gonna say this and it's okay if I'm totally in the minority:

I'm fine with the Bills taking Williams at 9. 

A decade+, high quality starting offensive lineman that will set the tone along the o-line with his work ethic and study habits.

We could do a lot worse.

 

 

How did that work out with Thomas and the rest of the Browns awful O-line for his entire career? 

 

It's nice that Williams studies a lot, but....pass for an impact player at 9 please. 

[Logic]

17 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

 

How did that work out with Thomas and the rest of the Browns awful O-line for his entire career? 

 

It's nice that Williams studies a lot, but....pass for an impact player at 9 please. 

Did you just mention Joe Thomas in sentence one and then say "pass for an impact player" in sentence two? Joe Thomas is a surefire Hall of Famer. I think you just made the OPPOSITE of your point.

[Mr. WEO]

8 minutes ago, Logic said:

Did you just mention Joe Thomas in sentence one and then say "pass for an impact player" in sentence two? Joe Thomas is a surefire Hall of Famer. I think you just made the OPPOSITE of your point.

 

nah. 

 

What impact did a "surefire Hall of Famer" T have for that team all those years?  They routinely had one of the worst O-lines.  It makes the point that the greatest O-lineman ever born (or whatever) can only have a very limited impact.  It's the nature of the position.  By definition an ensemble piece.

[Logic]

3 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

nah. 

 

What impact did a "surefire Hall of Famer" T have for that team all those years?  They routinely had one of the worst O-lines.  It makes the point that the greatest O-lineman ever born (or whatever) can only have a very limited impact.  It's the nature of the position.  By definition an ensemble piece.

Wow. I'm not sure where to even start with that , so I'll just say that I politely and completely disagree.

[Mr. WEO]

Just now, Logic said:

Wow. I'm not sure where to even start with that , so I'll just say that I politely and completely disagree.

 

It's a simple question. How did that team benefit from having Thomas?  He's no doubt one of the best ever.  Yet their O-line underperformed as though he wasn't there.  Where was the impact?  Thomas made a great career for himself, no doubt.

 

I'll remind you that they picked him over Adrian Peterson.  They could gotten the same value if they traded down and taken Joe Staley.

[Alphadawg7]

On 4/21/2019 at 12:24 PM, Tipster19 said:

I guess I was wrong, I thought Jawaan Taylor was the OL to get in this draft.

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/04/21/jonah-williams-takes-preparation-to-the-next-level/

 

While I am not convinced after all the OL additions that the Bills will go OL early, I also would not have an issue with it.  I think if we do go OL at 9 it would be Jonah (still not sure why there is so much love for Taylor) or if we trade back it would be Dillard (assuming Jonah is gone). 

 

But IMO, I still have a feeling we will go with a weapon early like DK or Hock (if the D guy they covet is gone at 9 which I expect them to be) and then maybe target Dillard or Dalton in a trade up from 40 if they still want an OL addition early in the draft.  

[Logic]

23 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

It's a simple question. How did that team benefit from having Thomas?  He's no doubt one of the best ever.  Yet their O-line underperformed as though he wasn't there.  Where was the impact?  Thomas made a great career for himself, no doubt.

 

I'll remind you that they picked him over Adrian Peterson.  They could gotten the same value if they traded down and taken Joe Staley.

1.) Offensive Tackle is either the second or third most important position in Football. QB is #1, obviously, but after that come Edge Rushers and Offensive Tackles. Your attempt to minimize the importance of a high quality left tackle is off base, in my opinion.

2.) We can play this game both ways. How many championships did dangerous offensive weapon and Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez win his team over the years? How many championships did the Lions win with Calvin Johnson or with Barry Sanders? You can't use the lack of team success during a great player's tenure as evidence that that player isn't worth having or seeking out in the draft.

3.) Do you really think the Browns would have won more games during those years if they had chosen Adrian Peterson over Joe Thomas?

If you want an "impact player" at 9, it's hard to overstate the influence that a franchise left tackle can have on a quarterback's success and on an offense as a whole. It's also hard to overstate the importance of the left tackle position in general. If you told me I could have either Joe Thomas or Calvin Johnson in their prime on the Bills for the next decade, I know who I'd pick 10 times out of 10.

[Dr. Who]

25 minutes ago, Logic said:

1.) Offensive Tackle is either the second or third most important position in Football. QB is #1, obviously, but after that come Edge Rushers and Offensive Tackles. Your attempt to minimize the importance of a high quality left tackle is off base, in my opinion.

2.) We can play this game both ways. How many championships did dangerous offensive weapon and Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez win his team over the years? How many championships did the Lions win with Calvin Johnson or with Barry Sanders? You can't use the lack of team success during a great player's tenure as evidence that that player isn't worth having or seeking out in the draft.

3.) Do you really think the Browns would have won more games during those years if they had chosen Adrian Peterson over Joe Thomas?

If you want an "impact player" at 9, it's hard to overstate the influence that a franchise left tackle can have on a quarterback's success and on an offense as a whole. It's also hard to overstate the importance of the left tackle position in general. If you told me I could have either Joe Thomas or Calvin Johnson in their prime on the Bills for the next decade, I know who I'd pick 10 times out of 10.

I just don't see an OT worthy of #9. I'm not convinced Jonah Williams is a tackle, really, and I don't think he's the next Q. Nelson at guard, though he'll probably be solid. Taylor is the fella with the most upside at tackle supposedly. I think Dillard is soft and a finesse kind of player; that doesn't sound like it fits with the kind of line we are trying to build. Tytus Howard is a developmental tackle worth looking at. You can get him in the second.

Edited April 23, 2019 by Dr. Who

[Logic]

7 minutes ago, Dr. Who said:

I just don't see an OT worthy of #9. I'm not convinced Jonah Williams is a tackle, really, and I don't think he's the next Q. Nelson at guard, though he'll probably be solid. Taylor is the fella with the most upside at tackle supposedly. I think Dillard is soft and a finesse kind of player; that doesn't sound like it fits with the kind of line we are trying to build. Tytus Howard is a developmental tackle worth looking at. You can get him in the second.

That's fair.

The way I look at it, Jonah Williams was the best offensive tackle in the SEC last year and one of the best in all of college football. That's got to count for something. He's playing against future NFL edge rushers and is operating a scheme at 'Bama that features a lot of stuff he'll be seeing on Sundays. And he DOMINATED. 

If the idea is that he can't be a tackle in the NFL just because his arms are 2 inches too short, and we're going to completely disregard his proven production at the college level, well...we'll see, I guess. 

I'm not sure I buy that Williams is strictly a guard in the NFL. I DO believe, however, that if he flames out at tackle, he'll still make an above average guard. I'm not saying Quenten Nelson level, but I'll think he'll be darn good inside if that's where he ends up. And offensive tackle is one of the only positions in the draft where if the guy you pick doesn't work out, he has a potential fall-back position that keeps the pick from being a waste. If DK Metcalf or Ed Oliver bust at WR or DT, respectively, for instance, there's no backup position for them.

[MrEpsYtown]

I still don't understand why Dillard is a pure left tackle with long arms when his arms and wingspan are smaller than Jonah Williams. I must be missing something here, but why is arm length an issue for one and not the other. Dillard is such a trap. 

 

12 hours ago, FeelingOnYouboty said:

Chances of him being there at #9 are slim. Now if Carolina trades up with Detroit we're screwed out of Andre Dillard.

 

If Carolina screws us out of Dillard it will be a blessing for us and for Cam Jordan, Vic Beasley and the other pass rushers in NFC South. 

Edited April 24, 2019 by MrEpsYtown

[ndirish1978]

I've now talked myself into being cool with this pick. Here's my tip for anyone nervous about this draft: all you have to do is be comfortable with us picking one of 10-12 guys and then hope we don't pull some weird unexpected move. I will not proceed to lose what is left of my mind should any of these (many highly unlikely) fall to us: 1- Hock; 2- Oliver; 3- Q Williams; 4- J Williams; 5- Devin White; 6- Bosa; 7- Allen; 8- J Taylor; 9- Brian Burns; 10- Montez Sweat; 11- C Ford; 12- Wilkins; 13- Metcalf

[Mat68]

1 hour ago, Logic said:

Did you just mention Joe Thomas in sentence one and then say "pass for an impact player" in sentence two? Joe Thomas is a surefire Hall of Famer. I think you just made the OPPOSITE of your point.

The Browns were the worst team in football for the vast majority of his career.  The point is that a Hall of Fame OT doesnt effect the franchise and team as much as other positions can.  Now it's a team sport so 1 player doesnt have a large contribution to the overall success expect for QB, and even they are leveraged by coaching blocking and pass catchers.

[MrEpsYtown]

Williams lost his argument when he mentioned Riley Reiff, who blows. 

[Logic]

16 minutes ago, Mat68 said:

The Browns were the worst team in football for the vast majority of his career.  The point is that a Hall of Fame OT doesnt effect the franchise and team as much as other positions can.  Now it's a team sport so 1 player doesnt have a large contribution to the overall success expect for QB, and even they are leveraged by coaching blocking and pass catchers.

This is the worst and most nonsensical argument ever.

A Hall of Fame OT doesn't affect the franchise as much as other positions? Really? Other than QB and Edge, WHAT other positions affect a team's fortunes as much as LT?! I'll wait here.

[akcash]

I like Williams at about 25 overall.

[Mat68]

43 minutes ago, Logic said:

This is the worst and most nonsensical argument ever.

A Hall of Fame OT doesn't affect the franchise as much as other positions? Really? Other than QB and Edge, WHAT other positions affect a team's fortunes as much as LT?! I'll wait here.

What was Joe Thomas impact on the Browns franchise.  What was Walter Jones impact for Seatle?  But again it's also a team sport.  One player not matter how good doesnt change a lot.