NFL Combine Review: RB Karlos Williams

A national-best 12 Florida State Seminoles were invited to this year’s NFL Combine. While some guys — Jameis Winston, Mario Edwards, PJ Williams — should have no problem going in the first half of the draft. Others needed a good showing this past weekend in Indianapolis to help bolster their draft stock and ensure they would hear their name called in Chicago this Spring.

Let’s take a look at how all 12 Seminoles fared this weekend.

Name: Karlos Williams
Position: RB
Height: 6-1
Weight: 230
Arms: 33″
Hands: 9 3/4″

NFL.com Grade: 5.34 (NFL Back-up or Special Teams Potential)

ChopChat’s Notes: After a solid combine Karlos Williams is likely going to get selected late in the draft now– he’d come to Indianapolis on the bubble. The name of the game in Indy is looking athletic and that’s one area Williams has never struggled to impress.

Since arriving at FSU four years ago as a highly-touted defensive prospect, the one consistent element of Karlos Williams’ career has been his jaw-dropping athleticism. He flashed it at safety and on kick returns early in his career. You could see it through 2013– anytime FSU called his name on a stretch. You saw it in the Rose Bowl last year when he caught up with Kermit Whitfield on his return TD.

Karlos Williams is a physical freak.

What he isn’t — at least not yet — is a polished running back. Williams switched to tailback a week into the 2013 season and still managed to put up great numbers, but that was usually in the second half against run-down defenses.

In 2014, serious questions about Williams’ instincts and visions emerged as he seemed to struggle in the lead role. By the end of the year Dalvin Cook had taken over Williams was finding more of a niche as a short-yardage back.

At the next level, Williams is likely more of a special teamer, but his athleticism and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield could help him find some time in the backfield too.

Combine Results:

40 Time: 4.48
Bench Press: 16 reps
Vert Jump: 33.5″
Broad Jump: 117″
Three-Cone Drill:  7.16
Shuttle: 4.46

What They’re saying:

Strengths:

"Former safety with aggressive, physical temperament. Taller and longer than most running backs, but has exceptional burst to trim the corner and go. Angular running style. Makes subtle changes of direction without gearing down. One-cut daddy on outside zone plays. Has good top-end speed. Can be a factor on swing passes and will body up in pass protection. Lowers pads and delivers a blow on the move. Falls forward and is a pile mover when pad level is right. Natural footwork for an inexperienced back. Slams it between tackles when asked and doesn’t look to bounce outside. Shows patience and uses head fakes to freeze defenders in space. Hard to tackle and keeps feet churning at impact."

Weaknesses:

"Upright runner. Has issues playing with leverage when challenged suddenly in the hole. Needs to see contact coming to get pads low enough. Has just two years of running back experience. Instincts and feel are very hit and miss. Runs himself into trouble and might not fit all running schemes. Doesn’t make many defenders miss on second level. “Explosive Rushes” (15-plus yards) fell off substantially in 2014. Gained additional weight preseason, which appears to have slowed him. Lost starting job to freshman. Was investigated by Tallahassee police in domestic battery case, but no charges were filed. Character will be combed over carefully."

Sources Say:

"“Disappointing to see what he became as a runner this year. My grade dropped two full rounds on him and that is before the character stuff. He still has a very high ceiling though and that’s in my report.” — NFC director of scouting"

NFL Comparison:

"Alfred Blue"

Bottom Line:

"Williams is a big, talented athlete who is still finding his way as a running back. He seemed almost content to lose his job in 2014 and teams will be turning over every rock looking for information on his character. As a one-cut runner with exceptional burst and rare physical traits, Williams could become a very good starter in a zone-based scheme, but his floor is very low based on character and scheme fit."