Brandt: Andre Williams leads overlooked stars of NFL combine

Former Boston College running back had a season for the ages when he ran for more than 2,000 yards, won the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s most outstanding running back and was a Heisman finalist, but for all the success he had as a senior for the Eagles, he wasn’t viewed as one of the top draft-eligible running backs.

After posting a nice time in the 40 at the recently completed NFL combine last Sunday, Williams is making a steady climb up NFL draft boards and NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt is in his corner.

"“Williams is going to be an interesting player to follow in the draft because he doesn’t have good hands. He’s worked hard to improve but has a long way to go. The question mark on him is going to be whether you can play a running back who defenses will know is not going to be involved in the passing game. But he ran pretty well for a player his size, with a 4.57 40 (4.56 officially), and he’s a really bright, deep-thinking guy with tremendous character.”"

At 5-11, 230-pounds, Williams had a better time than other big backs, Jeremy Hill and Carlos Hyde, who have been ranked ahead of him by most draft analysts and combined with his production on-the-field and tremendous character, that could push Williams up into second round consideration despite not being a three-down back.