49ers Undrafted Free Agent Signings: Is Ian Williams The Diamond In The Rough?
by David Fucillo on Jul 26, 2011 8:50 AM PDT
in 49ers Rookies
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PrintI suppose you could consider this the first Player X Is Our Future!!! post. When it comes to undrafted free agents, there is occasionally a diamond in the rough that comes out of nowhere to turn into a strong NFL player. More often you get a mix of camp bodies that will not make it through final cuts and others who might snag that 52nd or 53rd roster spot. Ian Williams could be a guy who falls all along that spectrum.
One of the first tweeted tentative agreements Monday night was that of Notre Dame nose tackle Ian Williams. The 6'1, 319 pound behemoth missed the final four games of his senior season with a knee injury and that sent him tumbling out of the draft. Prior to that injury he had not missed a game during his career and looked ready to take a step to the next level.
Shortly before April's NFL Draft, James put together a breakdown of nose tackles and had Williams ranked as his eighth nose tackle. He described him as follows:
The best athleticism of the "lower tier" nose tackles in the draft, there's a lot to like there, especially for the 49ers. He doesn't get after the passer a lot, but he does everything else at a high level. He's a solid anchor who will stop the run every time, and he can occupy two blockers. If Williams gets a good coach and some time to develop, he can be deadly.
If you're looking for some outside perspective, Williams was actually ranked by Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net as one of the ten undrafted free agents to keep an eye on heading into this week:
Williams saw his 2010 campaign cut short and red flags raises after he suffered a knee injury midway through the season. Despite performing well at the combine, he slipped out of the draft's seven rounds. But he has legitimate NFL ability with the potential to play several spots on the defensive line. Rated as a fifth-rounder on many draft boards, Williams could be a steal for any team needing a nose tackle
The 49ers find themselves facing a big situation with the impending free agency of Aubrayo Franklin. If Franklin walks that leaves the 49ers with Isaac Sopoaga, Ricky Jean-Francois and now Ian Williams and Sealver Siliga competing for playing time and roster spots.
What do people expect from Williams? Or is it too soon to tell without further news on Aubrayo Franklin? Or is a signing like this that very "further news" about Aubrayo Franklin? Williams has the bulk but some have said he's a tad short for the position. Considering he's the same height as Aubrayo Franklin I wouldn't concern myself too much with that issue.
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He's the first true NT rookie we've signed in...forever?
He has ideal size for the position and as James said, knows what a NT’s job is. I fully expect him to make the roster and challenge for a spot on the DL, even if it’s rotational DT/NT.
Clicks Ruby Slippers: There's no game like football! There's no game like football!
I just Twitter'd that
by Tre9er on Jul 26, 2011 8:58 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Personally, I didn't like him in college, and I don't think he's an NT
That being said, he’s an UDFA, and I generally do not care who they bring in as UDFA.
Think he’s more likely general d-line depth, 3 or 5 technique, in the case that they are unable to bring in some FAs for the d-line. I’d expect him to end up on the practice squad if they do bring some in.
by whistlingmountain on Jul 26, 2011 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions
You don't think he is a NT?
He is the classic NT He eat up space very well.
"Hi my name is Cliff Harris and I am here to lock [site decorum] down" - Cliff Harris introduction at his Freshman Orientation
Reporter : "What do you remember about the BCS title game"
Cliff Harris: "That we lost"
by manraj7 on Jul 26, 2011 10:23 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
it'd be wonderful if I'm wrong
but he never looked to me like an NFL NT to me in college
by whistlingmountain on Jul 26, 2011 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions
Thats the only thing he looks like to me.
"Hi my name is Cliff Harris and I am here to lock [site decorum] down" - Cliff Harris introduction at his Freshman Orientation
Reporter : "What do you remember about the BCS title game"
Cliff Harris: "That we lost"
by manraj7 on Jul 26, 2011 10:31 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
good anchor strength, not much pass rush, good in pursuit
he’s a 2-gap NT
Clicks Ruby Slippers: There's no game like football! There's no game like football!
I just Twitter'd that
319?
"You know whats funny? I always thought uhm dogs lay eggs and I learned something new today" Peter Griffin
by HUNGRY HUNTER on Jul 26, 2011 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions
dude is like 320
"Hi my name is Cliff Harris and I am here to lock [site decorum] down" - Cliff Harris introduction at his Freshman Orientation
Reporter : "What do you remember about the BCS title game"
Cliff Harris: "That we lost"
Didn't like him in college?
What about his NT play did you not like?
he had a late knee injury befoe the draft, that is why he went undrafted. he should have been a 2-4 round pick.
"You know whats funny? I always thought uhm dogs lay eggs and I learned something new today" Peter Griffin
by HUNGRY HUNTER on Jul 26, 2011 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions
I think it signals that Aubrayo Franklin is clearly not going to stay
and the 49ers have invested time into looking for eventual replacements. I like the signing though but I feel like it’ll be Soap who starts this year
"I need a new (guy) for this black cloud to follow, cause while it's over me it's too dark to see tomorrow" -Nas
it very well may-be. It takes time for NT's to develop in NFL vs. NFL talent.
But I do like that Siliga and Williams have played NT before, and aren’t converted 3-tech’s.
Clicks Ruby Slippers: There's no game like football! There's no game like football!
I just Twitter'd that
Don't think a 5k investment in Ian Williams means anything for Franklin
Franklin’s reasons for not returning/being brought back are completely separate.
If any single player has an affect on it, it’s Tomsula’s thoughts on Sopoaga.. and maybe RJF.
by whistlingmountain on Jul 26, 2011 9:41 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
I think the 9ers
would love to have Franklin back, but the issue will be that a team (possibly KC due to their ridiculous amount of cap space) will throw a massive contract at him. The 9ers are in a position where they need to look at the overall talent of the team rather than make a big splash in free agency. The teams that are willing to overpay for a guy are the ones that are very close (in their minds) to winning it all.
He's going to the right team
Jim Tomsula is one of the good ones.
by DerekRE_3 on Jul 26, 2011 9:31 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
I love this signing
Makes me feel a little better if we can’t re-sign Franklin. I would love it even more if we did bring back Franklin, but in terms of being realistic, it doesn’t look like that is going to happen.
Williams is 12 lbs heavier than Franklin comming out of college.
Franklin has only has 1 good year, last year was up and down and at 30, the 49ers might cut ties with him.
I don’t think he was in game shape last season. He would be an asset to the team this year, but I wouldn’t want the team to commit big money to a guy for any longer than 3 years.
If he wasn't in shape last year and had a down year....
I don’t see how anyone expects him to be in shape this year when he wasn’t required to work out at all. Bet he gets a big paycheck and then disappoints for most of the first year of that contract.
by 9thevolution on Jul 26, 2011 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions
Doubt anyone knows...
and he won’t be required to work out for his new team before signing a contract so he’s gonna get paid big time.
by 9thevolution on Jul 26, 2011 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions
I would like to take the money that was going to be spent on Franklin and put it towards improving the secondary a little more. Nnamdi Asomugha obviously would be cool, which is highly unlikely, but I do like dreaming. I would even be happy with a 2nd tier free agent CB like Chris Houston, Ike Taylor or Carlos Rogers or maybe even Eric Weddle at free safety.
i cant believe this kid went undrafted
seems like a steal…i wouldn’t think an injury that makes you miss a few games would drop your draft stock that much but apparently it does. we should drop soap (lol) and use that money to re-sign Aubrayo, and let this kid learn under him.
These rookies are getting smarter as well
They are going to the team where they have the best shot as making team. Sometimes going undrafted has it good points.
I'm in business of giving the business and business is booming!
It's definitely better than being drafted in the 7th round
Most UDFAs I think get paid more than 7th rounders
by 9thevolution on Jul 26, 2011 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions
It is going to be a steal for SF
Williams will make the team and eventually get into the rotation as the season moves a long. He is a perfect fit for a 3-4 defense and played great for Notre Dame
Yes, I just did Twitter. Follow me for ultra intelligent insight.
"I am our future, forget Kory"
by nocal81(Vincent) on Jul 26, 2011 12:25 PM PDT reply actions
I think since we are not getting Franklin, and i believe Blatimore is over the cap
That only leaves one suggestion, into adding two players. NGATA AND MCCLAIN!! j.k lol Yeah rite I wish….
Anyways I really like the additions from our UDFA’s so far, Williams can very well jump in this year, if not next year definitely, and be a solid contributor as a NT backup.
To answer the question, I do see him as a diamond in the rough, and really believe he could very well give RJF quite the battle. He makes all the right reads on the line, eats up plenty of space, knows how to get in the QB’s line of vision, and can collapse the pocket . Truthfully, it seems almost too good to be true, that he fell to us, a player with a great amount of upside, and at a positioin of need. Even with his injuries, if we would have drafted him in one of the 4th or 5th rounds I still would be very excited and considered it a very good pickup, but as an UDFA it just makes it all the more of a steal.
I could not be more excited about this guy, although I will not truly give my hopes up. If all goes well, he will most likely serve as a backup for roughly the first ten games. After that, depending on his play and standings, I really would not be suprised to see him start getting a few more snaps, ultimately transitioning himself into the starter for next year.
Sometimes I wake up grumpy; other times I let her sleep.
Also, as UGA fan I got to see a ton of this guy, and was pretty impressed
So, do not sleep on another UDFA DeMarcus Dobbs. He would be an outside shot to make the team, but I really would not be suprised if he impresses coaches and does get one of the last roster spots available.
Sometimes I wake up grumpy; other times I let her sleep.
by chicagobullies on Jul 26, 2011 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions
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