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2015 NFL Draft: Evaluating P.J. Williams’ Stock After Week 14

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By @Spencer_NFL

P.J. Williams Florida State

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In his first season as a starter, Florida State CB P.J. Williams was named Defensive MVP of the BCS National Championship Game. In his second season, Williams has become one of the best corners in the country. If he declares early for the 2015 NFL Draft as expected, he will be one of the first corners off the board.

Williams may have the best instincts of any secondary prospect in this draft class. His ability to assess his surroundings separate him from most college corners. Those instincts have allowed him to defend 21 passes and intercept four in his two seasons as a starter. Those numbers would be much higher, but opponents often avoid throwing at him. The other starting CB for the Seminoles, Ronald Darby, has seen his draft stock decline this season as quarterbacks have attacked him rather than Williams.

Williams is an average cover corner who’s at his best when the play develops in front of him. This is likely a result of playing safety in high school, but three years in the Florida State program should have corrected this issue. This will throw up a red flag in NFL draft rooms. Has he already peaked? Does he rely on his natural ability rather than what his coaches have taught him? Would he be better off moving back to safety? These are some of the questions that will be thrown around during his evaluation.

At the next level, Williams projects as a corner who will be at his best when playing zone defense. Louisville WR DeVante Parker exposed Williams’ weaknesses in man coverage and NFL receivers will likely do the same. He is very physical against the run, but his physical style of play becomes a negative when he tries to play bump-and-run against larger receivers.

With Marcus Peters being dismissed from Washington and Oregon‘s Ifo Ekpre-Olomu struggling this year, Williams has a chance to be the first CB off the board on draft day. He’s currently the No. 2 CB on my board behind Trae Waynes of Michigan State, but teams playing a lot of zone may prefer Williams. Expect Williams to be selected in the 20-25 range of the first round.

Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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