NFL Combine Review: DB PJ 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: PJ Williams
Position: CB
Height: 6-0
Weight: 194
Arms: 31″
Hands: 8 5/8″

NFL.com Grade: 6.02 (Should Become an Instant Starter)

ChopChat’s Notes: Jimbo Fisher told reporters that PJ Williams would be a stud before he ever stepped foot on the field– Fisher wasn’t lying.

For the past two season Williams has been one of the top corners in the country, locking down opposing receivers with his mixture of coverage skills and physicality. Williams isn’t the fastest corner in the draft (that distinction might actually belong to his teammate, Ronald Darby), but he is one of the most athletic.

Williams had an up-and-down year in 2014, giving up a few more touchdowns than the junior probably would have liked. But it’s important to point out that FSU’s issues up front left its secondary hung out to dry a lot last year. Put on the the tape from 2013 — when FSU had better personnel supporting its secondary — and you see a lockdown corner.

Unfortunately, it looks like Williams will have to make up a little bit for his performance at the Combine. His 40-time was not what many scouts were hoping to see and some — such as Bucky Brooks at NFL.com — criticized the way he looked in his turns and transitions during drills.

Williams could go as high as the back-end of round one if he has a good Pro Day, but otherwise should be gone in round two.

Combine Results:

40 Time: 4.57
Bench Press: 12 reps
Vert Jump: 40″
Broad Jump: 132″
Three-Cone Drill: 7.08
Shuttle: 4.28

What They’re saying:

Strengths:

"Possesses desired height, weight and speed. Able to face up and handle business from press coverage all game long. Bump-and-run specialist. Length and strength to put a receiver into detour mode off the jam. Waits to open hips up until receiver has committed to his release. Able to turn, run and close. Has feel to stay wired on inside or outside releases. Able to get on top of vertical routes and smother. Can carry speed down the field. Outstanding timing and ball skills to knock throw away. Instinctive and aware, extending outside of his area to make plays. Sure tackler in open field with second gear to explode into ball carriers."

Weaknesses:

"Physical down the field and could take time to acclimate to NFL illegal-contact rules. Stays on high-side down the field, opening himself to easy comebacks. Appears to lose some interest when asked to cover in zone. Won’t be able to consistently jam savvy NFL receivers off the line. Motor runs hot and cold. Shows up ready when stakes are high, but puts it in cruise control and play looks less motivated against lesser opponents. Inconsistent to step downhill and attack the run."

NFL Comparison:

"Stephon Gilmore"

Bottom Line:

"Cover cornerback with the talent to play on an island, and the swagger to regroup and forget when beaten. Williams can cover outside or from the slot, and has potential to come in and start right away for an aggressive man-cover defense. With consistency of effort, Williams could become the best cornerback to come out of this draft."