Pre-draft visit: OLB Jason Williams

Mike Reiss reports OLB Jason Williams will have a pre-draft visit with the New England Patriots.  If Williams turns out to be of NFL caliber, he'll be the kind of sleeper coaches love.  Largely ignored by many draft trackers and not even invited to the NFL Combine, Jason wowed scouts during Northwestern's recent Pro Day.  With 10 pre-draft visits on his calendar, others have their eye on this prospect from Western Illinois, too.  Projected to go in the later rounds, he could be an incredible value for the team that picks him up.

Williams is the perfect Belichick project.  Physical, talented, and smart.  With a faster 40 than any combine player at his position, it's no wonder people are keeping their eye on him.  scout.com has this to say:

One of those hidden gems, Jason Williams, hails from Western Illinois, and recently completed his Pro-Day at Northwestern University. With the names Curry, Cushing, Maualuga, and Laurinaitis smashing our eardrums, Williams worked quietly before NFL representatives in preparation for the next level. As a combine snub, the 6’3, 238 pound linebacker posted a 40-time of 4.49, which bested the Combine’s top performance for the position, while also placing him among the timed leaders for cornerbacks and safeties.

The victim of a small school program, there's no pass like many large program guys get.  Jason has had to work harder than most to get noticed; just the kind of guy that could fit well in the Patriots system.  And with the departure of Mike Vrabel, OLB is a need for this team, especially a fast, physical one.  Wouldn't it be great to once again see an OLB charging into the opposition's backfield?