I don’t think it’s much of a coincidence that Seattle has approached Kam Chancellor about an extension a month before the 2013 draft. Doing so gives the front office either a chance to sign him to an extension, or get a preview of what might be a difficult, drawn out contract discussion. In the event that talks are not fruitful (and so far, the two sides seem far apart), it would make sense for Seattle to consider a strong safety prospect in this draft, particularly if one of good value falls to them.
Shawn Williams has some of the best tools of any 2013 safety prospect. He stands just a hair short of 6 feet tall at 213 pounds while running a brisk 4.46 and putting up 25 reps on the bench press. He had less fantastic results in agility drills, though they were still respectable.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much of Williams to go off of on youtube and the compilation above makes him look pretty lousy, to be frank. He gambles in coverage (and loses). He is a poor tackler that plays almost as if to avoid injury. He has very few positive plays and numerous negative ones. That said, Williams’ speed and size could hold some appeal to Seattle as Chancellor’s speed in coverage proved to be an issue at times last year.
As an isolated decision based purely on my grade from what you see above, I probably wouldn’t draft Williams, though Pete Carroll seems to gravitate towards special athletes in need of coaching help. That’s Shawn Williams in a nutshell. I don’t think Seattle will draft him early on, but if he slides on draft day I could see him gaining traction with the Seahawks around the 4th or 5th round.
Hey Kip, like the sound of this guy as a Kam replacement/backup:
Cooper Taylor, Richmond, 6’4″, 229lbs, 4.57 ?????
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1619598
Yeah I like Cooper as a late round pick. Would like more tape on him though.
No thanks on Shawn Williams though. Would have to pass. He has a lot of film study to do it seems. Looks slow to make decisions. Gets beat thinking about the play.
TJ McDonald is another S that may gain interest in rounds 3 through 5 for the Seahawks.
I’ve had Taylor in several of my mock drafts. He’s very impressive as an athlete and I think it’s likely Seattle has interest in him.
I thought about this earlier, but DJ Swearinger came to mind. I’d be happy if we could get him in round 3, though he’ll likely be gone by then.
Yeah, remembered him later on. 3rd round guy, I agree. I think they will be looking S in rounds 4-7 though.
Earl Wolff is one of my favorite safety prospects this year. However, admittedly, it’s mostly because of his awesome name….
How would you compare Williams coming into the draft to Jeron Johnson? Combine numbers are almost eerily similar:
Williams 6’0″ 213lb 4.42 (1.54 split) 25 reps
Johnson 5’10” 212lb 4.51 (1.55 split) 23 reps
Interesting comparison.
I don’t know what Johnsons taped look like compared to Williams but, in his first preseason, Johnson was blowing things up and seemingly everywhere on the field. From this tape it doesn’t look like Williams is that kind of player.
should be *tape looked
Shawn Williams just kind of strikes me as a Ruskell pick. He doesn’t really stand out. Not on tape. Not by combine measurables. Just a safe ‘big school’ pick.
I just don’t see us being interested in a guy that doesn’t really distinguish himself from the crowd. Even last year, we took Howard because he showed up on tape. We took Toomer because of measurables. I honestly can’t remember the last time we drafted a guy who was just ‘Magoo’ all around.
It’s like you need to have measurables, show on tape or have a really high ceiling to make the roll call.
Kip or Rob – Have you watched any film of DT William Campbell from Michigan? I’m not sure what kind of game he has, but at 6’5″ and 315 lbs., he seems to have the length that Carroll & Schnieder like. Maybe a late round guy?
Someone I intend to watch before the draft. Size caught my eye too.
The UM forums really are kind of scathing on him.
Seems like a classic ‘looks like Tarzan…’ player. His felony arrest on criminal vandalism seems really bogus though. I wouldn’t ding him for that (note to selves: If you are 322 lbs, don’t try the Dukes of Hazard car hood slide — especially if it’s not your car).
Kip, what makes you think that the team and Kam are far apart? Just the amount of time since we first heard they wanted to extend him? Do you think the Flynn trade will free up the cash they need or do you think Kam may be making outrageous demands?
I will say this for Williams, the UGa secondary is CONSISTENTLY horrible. People just run wide open down the field on him. So, this is where tape study becomes difficult. How much is on the player NOT playing to coaching vs. how much is on poor position coaching (of which there is an abundance in college football)?
I like Phillip Thomas out of Fresno State as a Safety prospect. He’s the type of playmaker PC loves, and he can lay the wood from SS or play a very good FS in case Earl were to get hurt. Great cover guy with corner skills who goes 212 lbs and likes to intercept the ball and make tackles in the backfield.