Redskins Draft Special Round 2 (Pick 49)

Another pick where the Redskins could do a lot of things.  This one could be a reach, and yes I propose that we take two safeties in this draft, but what would a Redskins draft be without a little redundancy.

Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports, NFL Combine Results Page, and the NFL Draft Tracker.

Round 2 (49th Overall Selection):  Marcus Williams    S    (Utah)
Height: 6'1"   Weight: 202 lbs   40 yd: 4.56   Vert: 43.5"

Everyone seems to be falling in love with Obi Melifonwu from UConn, and for good reason.  He is an athletic freak who wowed people at the combine, and whose body type maybe more suited for the NFL than Marcus Williams.  But the Redskins have plenty of thumpers at safety.  What they need is someone who can play center field and actually cover a lot of ground on deep pass plays. Williams fits that mold perfectly.  Williams is a safety with 4.5 speed and whose quickness drills at the combine were comparable to Budda Baker, not to mention that he had the second highest vertical behind Melifonwu.  Williams, though, is not just a workout warrior.  He forced 18 turnovers the past three seasons for the Utes including 11 interceptions, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.  Scouts note his impeccable ability to make plays on the ball from deep positions, and he possesses the instincts and timing necessary to track deep balls and break up pass plays.  He also has good instincts in the run game that allow him to be first to the ball, and he is avid in trying to strip the ball from the ball carrier.  Williams is characterized as a true center field type safety who has the speed and quickness to cover a lot of ground in the open field in order to defend the pass, and he is also not afraid to step up and play the run.  The Utah coaches attribute Williams's honed instincts to his voracious appetite for film study, and they have called him one of the most committed people on the Utah team.  With all of these positives, there are some worrisome negatives that Williams has.

Williams missed two games in 2016 with a sprained knee, and while the injury appeared to be nothing major it could be indicative of a larger problem for Williams in the NFL.  His smaller frame and wrap up tackling style may leave him more prone to injury, and he may not have the same type of success with creating fumbles as he did at Utah.  Bigger running backs have been able to carry him for extra yardage, and even slip his tackles due to Williams's lack of pop on his hits.  Williams also has been known to read the quarterbacks too carefully, and he can fall for misdirection and pump fakes. Despite these shortcomings, which can be fixed at the next level, Williams is the safety the Redskins should go with in the higher rounds.

The Redskins need someone to police the deep routes that they get killed on time and again, and Williams is that type of guy.  His 10 INT's over the past two seasons against PAC-12 competition should be all the Redskins need to know in drafting a player like this.  His size could be a turnoff, but just like Tarell Basham that can be fixed through proper training and conditioning.  It is also hard to deny Williams's instincts and work ethic that could increase the level of commitment from everyone in the locker room.  Williams would not necessarily be a physical enforcer, but he was a guy that PAC-12 quarterbacks had to think twice about challenging due to his elite level of play.  The Redskins have not had someone like that at safety for a long time, and when paired with Cravens or Swearinger it could allow the Redskins to play around with interesting coverage packages.  The Redskins need a sure fire play maker in the back of the defense, and for my money it should be Marcus Williams.