Gut Reaction: Broncos draft Sylvester Williams

TJ Johnson Apr 26, 2013 12:30 AM

After all these years, after all the whining I’ve done for the Broncos to pick a defensive tackle in the first round, they finally went and did it.

So you’d think I’d be excited as hell.

I'm only halfway there, and perhaps it's not because I'm so down on Sylveser Williams, as much as I was hoping the Broncos would move up and grab Star Lotulelei or Sharrif Floyd as they fell down the board.

Williams is certainly athletic, there's no doubt about that. During Senior Bowl week, he got off the ball extremely well in the one-on-one drills. He's quick, his first step is electric, and his swim move is above average. This makes his potential as a 3-tech high.

Great news, right?

Only if he decides to bring it. On film, what I’ve seen from Williams is that he too often coasts during plays; further, he’s too often attached to the guard and easily influenced away from the play. I don't think he holds up particularly well against double teams, either.

The following film from the Virginia game last year demonstrates it all--strengths and weaknesses:

The tape is filled with a ton of fluctuating play, but it's not hard to understand why the Broncos drafted Williams. They want to rotate Williams in on passing downs because of his athleticism and ability to get to the quarterback (as evidenced by a few plays here, in which he put his swim move on display). And you can never have enough defensive linemen who can rush the passer. Given that the Broncos are already a playoff team, I can live with this pick.

Williams seems to already get this. He just told the media he's ready to help the Broncos win the Super Bowl next year.

Good enough for me.

I’m glad we had this talk. Now, vaya con Dios, Brah.

Agree, disagree, just like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter so I can quit my day job.

Draft • Gut Reactions

I was simply responding to "IIRC we have never spent a first on any real DL type..."

Pryce played DE for Clemson in 1996, and was then drafted as a DT in 1997. But regardless of his spot, he was clearly a first round 'DL type'. Pryce moved inside when they had a gap at DT, but Pryce hated it and was much happier when he later moved back to DE which took advantage of his burst and gave him more space.

Posted by jvill on 2013-04-26 18:54:17

HE was not drafted as a DT they never had that in mind as for a lot of his college career he played LB, they had him planned as a DE pass rush guy and later in like his 3 rd year or so he moved more inside thatn at DE.. He is a lot like our new kid Wolf..

I think they found out TP was more effective inside than as a DE but played most of the spots..

But good try.. Still not TRUE DT taken in the first..

Posted by Lonestar47 on 2013-04-26 17:50:01

Great point, and it seems like Wolfe was that guy last year - the one who didn't always show up in the stat sheets but the one that made it possible for other guys to make plays. At the same tome, Wolfe has the ability to make the play when it is his to make.

I see a lot of the same in Williams. So now if we have two guys disrupting and making it easier for the other guys to make plays... (sorry, I need a moment...)

Posted by QDoc on 2013-04-26 12:54:22

He does have some sloppy weight. He was up around 330 for a while last year, got down to 313 for the Combine. As far as power, his initial slap was rated at almost 900 lbs. of initial force. He's explosive out of his stance and he wears down in games due to conditioning issues. As QDoc says, that will change in Denver. He'll have to change his approach from a swim move to a rip, but that will come in time too. It's perfect for him - he can take a couple of years to learn from two very talented DTs in Knighton and Vick and like many DTs, he'll probably break out in his third year, once he has the body and conditioning for it and has learned the NFL game. I love the pick.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2013-04-26 12:12:48

Trevor Pryce.

Posted by jvill on 2013-04-26 11:13:52

Looks to me like he does something awesome, and it ISN'T making the big play. He penetrates the line, forces the offense to double team him, and thus gives others the chance to make big plays. That's all I want from a DT; fire first, penetrate, disrupt. If he's not getting tackles or sacks but he's creating the hurry-ups I'm in his corner.

Posted by hoosierteacher on 2013-04-26 10:58:35

I like the pick. The SS video was good to watch too.

I agree with TJ in one respect... as the Vikings were on the clock at 23 I was practically yelling at my TV for John to trade up and grab Floyd. At the same time, Min had two picks and needed WR and LB, IND and HOU were 3-4 teams where Floyd didn't seem to fit, and GB seemed to need RB and an outside rusher. So even while I wanted them to trade up, it seemed reasonable that Floyd could fall, and if not Williams, Werner, Rhodes, and a few other guys were still around. All in all it was not so bad to stay where we were.

Back to Sly... in the SS video he looks impressive, but a little soft. Kinda flabby, even for a DT. He's only been in a major college program for 2 years, and before that did not have access to great strength coaches. I get a feeling that Richesson and his staff will be able to do amazing things with this kid once he lands in Denver.

And the fact that he doesn't need to be "the man" year 1, and I am really happy about what we did.

Posted by QDoc on 2013-04-26 10:43:34

I don't see that much downside here, not enough to justify TJ's concerns. Sly was double teamed (often triple teamed it seemed like) on every passing down and still showed great motor. The 'takes plays off' knock doesn't wash with me, every DT, with rare exceptions, takes a play off here and there. They are playing the most physically demanding position in the sport at 300+ and have to play practically parallel to the ground. With our rotation he should excel. GREAT PICK.

Posted by Kriss Bergethon on 2013-04-26 10:25:06

NE wanted Sly.

Don't know if Denver was offered the trade or not. But NE often gets credit for the "savvy" move of trading down and stockpiling lesser picks while passing on talent that's more blue-chip than what they end up drafting. IMO, NE has shot themselves in the foot on occasion in doing so, and last night I think they should have drafted Patterson, who Minnesota picked with NE's pick. Patterson on NE's team is scary. Really scary. Hey, good for the Broncos if you ask me. I'm happy NE will be picking more often, because I don't think there was a better fit for their most obvious need than the guy they passed up.

Beyond that opinion-heavy, poorly written paragraph I just wrote, I love the Williams pick. Denver's needed high-ceiling talent in the middle of their D for a long time. I was hoping for DT and when Floyd dropped, I figured Denver had a shot at Williams. I read somewhere that his comp was Gerard Warren and I think in terms of broad strokes, that the Warren comp makes sense because of the quick first step, the ability to make a few explosive blow-up plays per game, but also that he can wear down at times too. I'm not sure about the two players having anything more in common that that though.

Now, he's not a finished product, but I don't think any of the DT's in this draft are. Williams has a lot to learn. Denver will get his size right and they'll teach him to keep his pad level lower, bull rush as much as he swims, and break him of his bad habits (like turning his back to the LOS and stopping his feet when he gets stymied).

Posted by Super7 on 2013-04-26 09:48:14

This is the type of guy the Ravens and the Giants pick. Play your board and you will get good football players. He doesn't have to be used a lot this year rotate on passing downs and gradually come into his own next year.

Posted by Steve Williams on 2013-04-26 02:40:12

He is more Dareus than Fairley.

Posted by Steve Williams on 2013-04-26 02:38:17

When I heard what Minnesota was offering to move up to probably 29 before Denver picked - I thought that they must be happy with who has fallen to them - as they would have gotten a haul from MIN. When I heard Elway talk about Jones, Rhodes and Sly Williams as guys that they were interested in - I thought that they really did their homework.
I checked cbs Sports ratings to find that Jones, Rhodes and Sly Williams were rated in a cluster: I believe #17 - 18 - 19 - if I remember correctly. Not sure of the order.
This guy reminds me a little of the discussions we had 2 years ago about Dareus, Fairley and Von Miller. Fairley was a penetrating kind of DT. This guy reminds me a little of him.
Good pick for the Broncos. The rest of the draft is going to be interesting and entertaining.
Thanks, TJ.

Posted by BlackKnigh on 2013-04-26 02:23:12

Just for comparison's sake -- CBS ranked 'sly' at #19 while Mayock had him at #22. Scott Wright, of Draft Countdown, also has him at #19.

Negatives do appear in his scouting reports but it may be a question of 'weighting' since his physical profile and high motor likely project him higher at the pro level. In other words, I both agree with TJ's critique but disagree (I think) with its fairly guarded and somewhat pessimistic tone.

Posted by colinski2 on 2013-04-26 02:05:19

Hell I'll take a warm body at DT. Anyone we can keep for five years. Even as a first rounder his contract should not break any banks.

IIRC we have never spent a first on any real DL type let alone a DT.

It is Hooorah. For John.

Posted by Lonestar47 on 2013-04-26 01:45:37

I'm very happy with this pick.

Posted by colinski2 on 2013-04-26 01:25:51

I feel like his negatives can be coached into positives by our outstanding D-line coaches.

Posted by Ash on 2013-04-26 00:57:34

The brutal haul NE got one pick later is what dampered my joy of Sly. Oh well. On to DE, CB and OL.

Posted by Orange_and_Blue on 2013-04-26 00:38:57

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