Tag: Dexter Williams

Packers will bring back RB Dexter Williams on practice squad

The Packers will bring back 2019 sixth-round pick Dexter Williams on the practice squad on Monday.

The only member of the Green Bay Packers’ 2019 draft class to not make the initial 53-man roster will be back in Green Bay on the practice squad.

According to Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, running back Dexter Williams will sign with the Packers and join the practice squad on Monday, ensuring he’s back in Green Bay for a second season.

Williams, a sixth-round pick in 2019, wasn’t on the team’s initial list of 14 practice squad signings on Sunday, but Owczarski reports Williams was back home for the birth of his son.

As a rookie last season, Williams played in just four games despite being on the 53-man roster for the entire year. He carried five times for 11 yards and played just 10 total snaps on offense.

Williams was buried on the Packers’ running back depth chart this summer, especially after GM Brian Gutekunst used a second-round pick on A.J. Dillon, but the former Notre Dame star has explosive athletic ability and the potential to be an effective player in a one-cut running game. Stashed on the practice squad, Williams will have an opportunity to be a valuable backup for Matt LaFleur and the Packers should an injury or illness strike the running back room at any point during the 2020 season.

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Report: Packers cutting RB Dexter Williams

The Packers are cutting RB Dexter Williams, a sixth-round pick from the 2019 draft.

The Green Bay Packers are releasing running back Dexter Williams, last year’s sixth-round pick, according to Ryan Wood of PackersNews.com.

Williams played in just four games as a rookie, carrying five times for 11 yards.

While talented and athletic, Williams had a difficult training camp as a rookie and then found himself buried on the running back depth chart this summer, especially after the Packers took A.J. Dillon in the second round of the 2020 draft.

According to Wood, Williams is a candidate to return on the 16-player practice squad, given he passes through waivers.

The Packers made Williams the 194th overall pick in the 2019 draft.

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Matt LaFleur excited to see more from Packers RB Dexter Williams

Packers coach Matt LaFleur likes what he’s seeing from second-year RB Dexter Williams so far in camp.

His road to the Green Bay Packers’ 53-man roster might be complicated, but second-year running back Dexter Williams isn’t giving up his roster spot without a fight.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur expressed excitement in what he’s seen so far from Williams, the team’s sixth-round pick from a year ago.

“The guy I’m excited about seeing more is Dexter Williams,” LaFleur said on Tuesday. “He’s a guy that’s been working really, really hard in all the video I’ve seen of him in the conditioning phases.”

The Packers begin practice on Saturday. That’s when the real work begins for the young running back.

Williams, who made the roster as a rookie, is in for a battle during training camp. The Packers drafted A.J. Dillon in the second round, and Tyler Ervin has a real chance to make the roster again as the team’s primary punt and kick returner. Throw in Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams, the top two running backs, and a roster spot at the position will be difficult to win this summer.

LaFleur’s tone while discussing Williams is already markedly different from last summer, when he consistently harped on the young running back to be better and more consistent as both a runner and pass protector. Inconsistent during his first training camp, Williams found himself buried on the depth chart and without the trust of the coaching staff to play meaningful snaps.

Despite being on the active roster for the entire season, Williams played in only four games and received just five carries over only 10 total snaps on offense.

Now, Williams must prove he’s more reliable and in a better position to showcase his explosive running abilities if he wants to force the Packers to keep him around despite the incredible depth at the position. It’s possible the Packers could roster five running backs, especially if Williams has a strong summer and the team doesn’t keep a true fullback.

LaFleur likes the look of the group, from the top down.

“I’m really excited about that room as a whole,” LaFleur said. “They do complement each other well. They each bring a different style to our team.”

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Packers rookie review: RB Dexter Williams

Reviewing the rookie season of Packers RB Dexter Williams, the 194th pick in the 2019 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers made eight picks during the 2019 NFL draft and signed several others during college free agency, adding an influx of first-year talent to the roster. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be going through and reviewing the 2019 season for all of the Packers’ top rookies.

Next up: running back Dexter Williams, the 194th overall pick and the Packers’ second of two sixth-round draft picks in 2019:

Season stats

Williams carried five times for 11 yards and no touchdowns over four regular-season appearances. His longest run was five yards, and he had five yards after contact. He wasn’t targeted in the passing game. During the preseason, Williams carried 37 times for 128 yards and a touchdown and caught five passes for 57 yards, including a 21-yarder.

Snap counts

Williams played 10 snaps on offense – six against the Oakland Raiders in Week 7, and four more against the Detroit Lions in Week 17 – and 38 total special teams snaps, including a season-high of 11 snaps against both the Raiders in Week 7 and the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8.

Best play

In the second quarter of the season finale in Detroit, Williams took an inside zone handoff, identified the hole to his left and cut back inside to gain five quick yards. He fell forward after first contact to gain an extra yard or two. During the preseason, Williams converted a 3rd-and-7 with a 21-yard catch-and-run off of a well-executed screen pass against the Chiefs.

Season recap, future outlook

Buried on the depth chart behind starter Aaron Jones and versatile backup Jamaal Williams, Dexter Williams just barely made the 53-man roster to start the season and then played in only four regular-season games. Trust appeared to be an issue. Williams got himself in the doghouse during camp and never really found a way out, at least in terms of getting onto the field in a meaningful way during the year. Throughout the summer, Matt LaFleur praised his talent but publicly demanded more consistency. Coming back for Year 2 with a higher comfort level in the offense and knowing what’s expected of him as a pro could make all the difference. He has the size, short-area burst and lower-body power to be a useful situational runner in 2020, but only if he earns the trust of teammates and coaches. Training camp and the preseason will likely determine if he’s ready to take a leap or back on the roster bubble.

Season grade

The Packers gave Jones and Williams and eventually Tyler Ervin all the important snaps at running back, leaving the sixth-round pick as a gameday inactive most weeks. Rookie runners are capable of coming into the league and making an immediate impact, but it didn’t happen for the Notre Dame product. It was disappointing, especially for a back with a skillset befitting the new Packers offense, but he had experienced players ahead of him gobbling up all the opportunities. LaFleur will hope a redshirt rookie season sets up Williams for bigger things in 2020. Grade: Incomplete

Notre Dame’s NFL Conference Championship Representation

The hometown and 7.5 point favorite San Francisco 49ers employ a pair of former Notre Dame stars in former top ten pick, offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey and former Irish defensive tackle, Sheldon Day.

To me there isn’t a better day of professional football all year than what today brings.  AFC and NFC Championship Games, an all day affair of football between four usually very good teams.

If you’re like me and most of America, your favorite NFL squad was eliminated from Super Bowl contention long ago and you don’t have a dog in either of the fights this Sunday.

If you’re a Notre Dame fan looking for a team to get behind then the AFC game that kicks off just after 3:00 pm E.T. will be tough sledding as neither the Tennessee Titans or Kansas City Chiefs have any former Notre Dame players on their rosters.

Look into the NFC game however and you may get a little bit conflicted.

The hometown and 7.5 point favorite San Francisco 49ers employ a pair of former Notre Dame stars in former top ten pick, offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey and former Irish defensive tackle, Sheldon Day.

McGlinchey battled through a knee issue earlier this season that ultimately led to him getting a scope, missing four games but ultimately helping the 49ers to the third most rushing yards in the league this regular season.

Day played in all 16 games this regular season for the 49ers, recording 15 total tackles and one sack along the way.

When the 49ers kickoff against the Green Bay Packers at 6:40 pm E.T. today the Packers will have a former Fighting Irish star as Dexter Williams will be wearing the iconic Packers colors.

Don’t expect to see much of the former Notre Dame speedster however as Williams had just five rush attempts all regular season.

Enjoy the games and your Sunday.