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NFL Draft 2019: Top 32 prospects – Post-Senior Bowl edition

By Conor Dorney

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 17: Rashan Gary #3 of the Michigan Wolverines looks on while playing the Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 31-20. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 17: Rashan Gary #3 of the Michigan Wolverines looks on while playing the Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 31-20. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Quinnen Williams #92 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Quinnen Williams #92 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Had I told you that next year’s top available NFL Draft prospect would be a defensive tackle with just two years of collegiate experience, you might not believe me. Had I included the fact that he plays for Alabama, however, that might convince you.

After serving as a rotational player in 2017, Quinnen Williams exploded onto the NFL radar in 2018 and produced one of the most dominant seasons from an interior defensive lineman in quite some time. After registering 18.5 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks, the redshirt sophomore decided to turn pro and now is in serious consideration for the number one overall pick.

Williams (6-foot-4, 289 pounds) has the type of rare suddenness and explosiveness that could turn him into a perennial All-Pro caliber player. Despite most opposing offenses tweaking their game plan towards stopping him, Williams continued to find a way to be disruptive in both the pass and run games.

Despite being so young, Williams is very technically refined and well-rounded. He can blow through opposing guards on a bull rush but utilize his violent hands and pass-rush maneuvers to get to the quarterback on the very next play. He’s truly the type of player that manages to catch your eye with a “wow” play several times throughout the course of a game.

The NFL has tipped their hand about how valuable they view disruptive interior pass rushers with Aaron Donald’s recent contract extension, so there’s no doubt Williams will be the top player on many teams’ boards and a serious contender for the top overall pick.

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