Patriots NFL Draft Prospect: RB Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech

by Richard Hill on Mar 30, 2011 12:00 PM EDT in New England Patriots NFL Draft

Name: RB Ryan Williams

School: Virginia Tech

Size: 5'9, 212 lbs

Expected Round: 2nd

40 Time: 4.45s

Career Stats: Click Here.

Player Previews: CBS; Walter Football; NFL Combine [If you would like your website included, please e-mail me!]

Strengths: Great size and speed for a running back, with the athleticism to make all of the moves required. Has enough bulk to develop into a solid pass blocker. Able receiver and will pick up extra yards after the catch. Hits the hole hard and doesn't look back. While he may not have elite breakaway speed, he has enough speed to leave most players behind him. Able to get to the outside, still able to pound the rock up the middle.

Weaknesses: Not careful with the football. Doesn't seem to let plays develop and instead just heads for the first sign of daylight, regardless of whether it's a good idea or not. He's not a dancer, but I'm not sure how well he sets up and waits for his blocks. Catches the ball with his body, not his hands. Young player with little experience. Could be a partial product of the triple option threat with Tyrod Taylor at quarterback since he always got the ball in space on shovel passes. Injured last season.

Why and Why Not the Patriots after the jump, and my final verdict!

Why the Patriots?: The Patriots need the dash to BenJarvus Green-Ellis' smash, and Williams has a lot of dash to go around. He's a versatile player with a lot of upside since he is able to pass block, catch the ball and run hard. If he improves his technique in all three, he could be one of the better running backs in the league.

Why Not the Patriots?: He lost me with "poor ball safety." There's no room for turnovers on the offense and Williams is too dangerous to the offense to give him the ball consistently- and you want to give a second round player a lot of field time. There are players who possess his skills and physicals who could be available later in the draft. I think he's overpriced with a second round price tag. However, if you like Ingram, I can see why you'd like Williams since they play a similar story- Ingram just did the same exact thing as Williams, except he did it on a National Championship team.

Verdict: No. Williams needs to work on his ball skills before the Patriots even consider him as a prospect.

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Comments

Ball security and fumbling, comparing Williams and Todman

I don’t mean to compare the two, but hey…I will. Todman fumbled four times last season – I know he had the most carries out of the big-name running backs but he still had the fourth-highest fumble/carry ratio (going off McShay’s table, which I would imagine is correct). Williams’ career fumble ratio (since he did not really play much this season, and didn’t have ball security issues when he was in the game) is about equal to Todman’s this season.

I do agree Williams might be a bit overpriced because of his injury history and the fact that every running back at VT does pretty well, but I’m not sold that ball security is his greatest weakness when compared to a guy like Todman, who is your favorite in the draft.

by wildcat61 on Mar 30, 2011 12:13 PM EDT reply actions

I agree

When you draft a young player, these issues turn into a mountain only because of rhetoric. You never know what you will get when he gets there. A solid veteran squad and good coaching can help a great deal. And its not like you’re spending a first rounder on this guy. I like Todman from a speed stand point. But I’d like a bigger back for the offense. If it is speed you want why not Da’rell Scott?

by Patriots12 on Mar 30, 2011 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Williams had the same # of fumbles as Todman...

…with 200 fewer touches.

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by Richard Hill on Mar 30, 2011 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Unless Todd McShay is off on his numbers...

Williams in 2010: 1 fumble, 120 touches.
Williams in career (more applicable but it’s noteworthy that he improved this year: 5 fumbles, 429 touches.
Todman in 2010: 4 fumbles, 353 touches.
Todman in career: 6 fumbles, 658 touches.

It seems like Todman had a more fumble-prone season in 2010, which makes sense because he was more of a feature back. But, it’s definitely fair to say that Williams over the course of his career has not been more fumble-prone than Todman.

Also, Kendall Hunter has fumbled 10 times in his career on 771 touches, so he should be the one crossed off the board.

by wildcat61 on Mar 30, 2011 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Definitely agree with crossing Hunter off...

…but over their careers, Williams is over 1% fumble rate, Todman is under 1%. They both could use some “hands” lessons, but Williams definitely needs it more. Going off your numbers, Williams had 4 fumbles in 300 touches and Todman had 4 in 350 touches during their peak seasons. I guess you could ay they’re fairly even, but Williams fumbled in a more open offense while Todman fumbled as the only offensive weapon- that’s a big difference.

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by Richard Hill on Mar 30, 2011 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions

In the actual article it says Williams went to Temple and not VT

so I would edit that if I were you, haha.

And while I don’t disagree he has the potential to be a very good runningback, I don’t think it will be with New England. Ball security is a prerequisite to be on the Patriots. I mean, the Pats set the record for the fewest turnovers in a season last year, so lack of ball security doesn’t bode well for his chances.

by BigRussNovak on Mar 30, 2011 3:29 PM EDT reply actions