The 2023 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Dorian Williams 2023 NFL Draft Profile.
Position: Linebacker
School: Tulane
Size: 6-foot-1, 228 pounds
Class: Senior
2022 Stats: 132 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 7 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles
Williams was a star linebacker for Tulane over the last three seasons. Now he is a 2023 NFL Draft prospect.
As a three-star prospect out of South Carolina, Williams signed with Tulane in the class of 2019. He played sparingly in his first season on campus, finishing the year with 14 total tackles. Williams stepped into the starting lineup in 2020, finishing the year with 97 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He helped Tulane go 6-6 that season. In 2021, Williams had 73 total tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack. The Green Wave struggled with a 2-10 record. Williams had a resurgent 2022, tallying 132 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. He led Tulane to a 12-2 record and a win in the Cotton Bowl.
Following the Cotton Bowl win over USC, Williams declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be a mid-round pick.
Williams is a good athlete for the linebacker position. He has good quickness and agility, which he uses in coverage and to dodge blockers. Williams also has good long speed as well. He can jump and is flexible as well. Williams will fit in athletically as an NFL linebacker.
He is a solid run defender because of his pursuit. As mentioned, he can dodge blockers and is able to get through traffic quickly. He takes good angles to the football and can chase ball carriers down from sideline to sideline. Williams has a good closing burst and can finish the play with a solid tackle.
There is plenty of potential for good coverage at the next level for Williams. He has the athleticism to match up with tight ends and running backs in man coverage. In zone coverage, he has good eye balance and spatial awareness.
Williams is a little undersized for an NFL linebacker. He stands 6-foot-1 and 228 pounds, which is below the average for the position. Williams will need to add to his play strength to match up and beat NFL offensive linemen. He does have solid arm length though to help his tackle radius and shedding abilities.
With his lack of size, Williams can really struggle to shed blocks. He can sometimes dodge them, but when an offensive lineman gets his hands on Williams, they are able to sustain blocks. Adding play strength will help him shed, but he will likely need to keep on dodging blocks to be successful at the NFL level.
He sometimes can lack awareness at the position. Williams can get fooled by misdirection and play action, getting him out of position. He needs to work on playing with better feel for how offenses will attack.
Projected Draft Range: Third Round Pick-Fifth Round Pick
Draft Grade: Fourth-Round Pick
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