DT Quinnen Williams skips drills at Alabama pro day, to visit Cards
Mar 19, 2019, 8:35 AM | Updated: 10:17 am
Alabama defensive lineman Quinnen Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams did not participate in drills or testing at Alabama’s pro day on Tuesday.
Williams, who was limited in NFL Draft Combine due to a finger injury, will still interview with teams and go through board work, reports NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Williams already met with the New York Giants (sixth pick) last night and is expected to spend time with the San Francisco 49ers (second pick) later Tuesday. The first seven teams picking in the draft, including the Arizona Cardinals, who select first, are expected to host Williams on a visit, Rapoport added.
The potential No. 1 overall pick already participated in a handful of drills at the combine. He ran a 4.83-second 40-yard dash, leapt 30.5 inches in the vertical jump and recorded a broad jump of 112 inches.
Williams, who left Alabama after a redshirt junior season, measured 6-foot-3 and 303 pounds with 33 1/4-inch arms and 9 5/8-inch hands.
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A more agile defensive tackle who lacks elite size or length, Williams was lauded for his excellent use of hands, quickness and technique. He used his smarts and leverage, along with his instincts, to win matchups.
Heading into the 2018 season, Williams was not viewed as a top prospect. But despite the 2019 NFL Draft class looking strong at the tackle position, he has worked his way into consideration for the top draft pick, where the Arizona Cardinals hold the top spot and in terms of need could use him in Vance Joseph’s 3-4 defense.
Williams switched from defensive end to tackle heading into his final college season, and that’s where his production took a leap. After recording just 20 tackles in 2017, he finished this past season with 71 tackles and 8.0 sacks.
As for the Cardinals, Williams could remain an option if they retain the top pick. Veteran tackle Corey Peters returns, but there are few proven bodies beyond that.
Robert Nkemdiche, who flashed last year, underwent knee surgery to repair a torn ACL in December, which puts his ability to return by the season opener in question. Arizona also has Cameron Malveaux, a smaller lineman who is versatile, along with the bigger-bodied Vincent Valentine and Pasoni Tasini returning next year.
Defensive end Nick Bosa and quarterback Kyler Murray are the other most likely No. 1 picks for Arizona as it evaluates its options.
