Sam Williams OLB/EDGE Mississippi | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Sam Williams OLB/EDGE Mississippi
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: EDGE OLB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 02/20/2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.46 seconds (96%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 25.1 DOB: 03/03/1999 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| NFL Combine & Pro-Day Results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PLAY STYLE: EDGE OLB | |
| Last Updated: 02/20/2022 | |
| Draft Year: 2022 | |
| 40 time: 4.46 seconds (96%*) | |
| Age: 25.1 DOB: 03/03/1999 | |
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| NFL Combine & Pro-Day Results |
| Overall Rating: | 82.8 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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66% |
| Pass Rush: |
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92% |
| Run Defense: |
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66% |
| Coverage: |
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68% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#99
Position rank:
#12
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| College Games: 35 College Snaps: 1825 | ||
ESPN RATING: 82/100
College Combine Results
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Drafted: ROUND: 2 - Pick Number: 56 (DAL)
Draft Profile: Bio
Sam Williams was an unknown after playing high school football at Robert E. Lee in Alabama and as result wasn't scouted by any of the major scouting services. He went the JUCO route and joined Northwest Mississippi Community College where he chalked up 53 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles as a freshman. The following year as a sophomore, Williams made 75 tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles. He was an easy selection for the MACJC Defensive Lineman of the Year and finally drew the attention of scouts and received a four-star grade. Williams had offers from a number of top schools but opted to stay and signed with Ole Miss.As a sophomore at Ole Miss, he started 8 games at outside linebacker and logged 37 total tackles, led the team with six sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss, and added five quarterback hurries.
Williams appeared in 10 games with six starts on the defensive line in 2020 - recorded 40 tackles with a team-high 8.0 tackles for loss, 3 sacks and 21 total QB hurries.
As a senior in 2021 Williams exploded with 13 sacks and a massive 61 total pressures along with 57 tackles. As a result, he received an array of accolades - All-American Second Team (Walter Camp), All-American Third Team (Associated Press), All-SEC First Team (Coaches) and was added to the Butkus Award Watch List
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Williams is a total athletic freak Recorded dead-lift of 750 pounds, he was clocked running a 4.5-second 40-yard dash at 262 lbs recently at Ole Miss
- A couple of years ago while weighing in at 245 lbs he ran 4.40 40 yd dash and had a 40 inch vertical
- Williams attacks the chest of blockers with his long arms and creates a rush inside
- Has a constant motor who plays sideline to sideline
- He has become a much-improved run defender after struggling early in his college career
- Has the ability to drop into coverage although he isn't particularly instinctive and mostly relies on speed
- Has the ability to beat offensive tackles with a speed rush around the corner or a bull rush right through their chest
- Downhill defender and physical tackler. Uses his eyes to decipher and break down the play, showing good awareness and discipline to sniff out fakes.
- Coordinated footwork and balance
- Looks the part with a strong, long frame with good arm length. Fluid and flexible athlete with agile footwork and sometimes explosive get-off quickness
- Flashes closing speed and agility to reach passers from the blind side or up the middle before they can escape.
- Offers the versatility has who lined up anywhere from three-technique to a wide nine. Can play 4-3 DE and is a true 3-4 OLB
- Good quickness to attack ball carriers when playing near the line. Breaks down and wraps legs to make the stop
- Good closing speed with long arms to drag down quarterbacks and running backs.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Plays with his pads too high and in doing so allows blockers the leverage advantage
- Not as explosive off the line as his long speed suggests - can be a little late
- Has had off the field issues that have interrupted his playing career
- Unrefined hands and has few other pass rushes beyond a bull rush and elite speed
- Has a highly developed upper body but this is not matched by his lower body - which limits his effectiveness in driving through blockers
- Height leaves him susceptible to cut blocks he must learn to defeat with his hands.
- Takes too many poor angles on the way to the ball carrier
- He has some stiffness that displays when he has to counter and redirect inside
- Limited vision and is easily fooled by misdirection. Lacks range and lateral agility in coverage.
- Builds to top speed and must take the right line to beat backs to the edge.
Scouting Report: Summary
Sam Williams is no doubt an elite athletic specimen who possesses an elite combination of speed, hand strength, and explosiveness. He has also put incredible numbers as a pass rusher in his final season at Ole Miss he however is still raw as a player and relies on his speed and power over technique.Williams projects as a pass-rushing specialist early on in his NFL career with the hope of eventually becoming a three-down player at the next level.
We expect Willaims to be selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft although may be over-drafted due to his elite measurables. Will likely be a combined star...
Sam Williams percentiles vs other Outside Linebackers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Sam Williams (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
77.9
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
10.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.