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With their final selection in the 2021 NFL draft, the New York Giants took (of all things) a cornerback, 24-year-old Rodarius Williams of Oklahoma State.
Williams is the older brother of Greedy Williams, who was a second-round pick of the Cleveland Browns two years ago. The elder Williams stayed in college all four years and then some playing in 45 games for the Cowboys including four bowl games.
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Williams was a solid college corner and his selection by the Giants in this draft is a curious one since they already have an overcrowded secondary room. It was first thought het Williams would add to the Giants’ special teams, but in an interview on Saturday, he said that wasn’t his strength.
“I wasn’t a big special teamer, but I did play special teams,’ Williams told reporters. “I’m coming from a four-year starting experience, so whatever needs be I’ll adjust. Whatever you guys need of me is what I’m going to do.”
It was what Williams said next, however, that opened some eyes when asked what type of player he is.
“I’d say durable like you mentioned and definitely high confidence in myself. I believe that I will go down as one of the greats,” he said.
Hmm. Given the scouting reports we’ve read, such as the one from NBC Sports Edge below, Williams has a higher opinion of himself than most.
As a four-year starter at Oklahoma State, Williams never quite made the leap to stardom or picked up many accolades, but he provided quality cornerback play in a conference ripe for explosive passing. Williams plays with an aggressive, gambling style that benefitted him as often as it bit him. While the aggression is admirable, Williams often gets too sloppy with his footwork and press technique. Considering Williams does not have elite athletic tools to make up for those losses, he can get burned on some ugly reps from time to time. Williams would be best in a press scheme, with the hopes that he irons out his technique over his first couple seasons.
Williams is coming in as a grown man and at 24 is just a year younger than Adoree’ Jackson, a four-year veteran who the Giants just signed in free agency. Williams had no doubt that he was going be drafted and that the Giants were one of the teams that could come calling.
“They were one of the teams that showed a lot of interest in me when we had meetings and stuff like that, drawing up plays and stuff like that. I was just showing them my knowledge of the game,” he said. “They really took a lot of interest in me and I’m just — I’m not really shocked that you guys picked me. I kind of had expectations to go to the Giants leading up to the draft.”
Now, Williams has got to back up his words in what will be a very tough road to making the 53-man roster.
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