Tag: Evan Williams

Green Bay Packers 2024 fourth-round pick: S Evan Williams

The Packers selected Oregon safety Evan Williams in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers selected safety Evan Williams in the fourth round (No. 111 overall) of the 2024 NFL draft.

Height: 5-11
Weight: 206
Age: 22
From: Campbell, CA

College profile

Breakdown: Fresno State transfer produced 35 stops in 2023, the most among drafted safeties this year. Also led Pac-12 defensive backs in sacks (4.5). Started 45 total games. Excelled at the Senior Bowl. Played almost 500 snaps on special teams and produced both a blocked punt and blocked extra point. Aggressive playing downhill and a solid tackler. The Packers believe he can play deep and in the slot while being a plus run-supporting defensive back. Brian Gutekunst moved up 15 spots in the fourth round to get him.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 67, Oregon DB Evan Williams

Dane Brugler’s scouting report: “A one-year starter at Oregon, Williams was a versatile safety in head coach Dan Lanning’s balanced scheme. After four years at Fresno State, he transferred to Eugene for the 2023 season and led the Ducks in tackles, finishing his college career with 45 starts. Although he has the size of a free safety, Williams has the mentality of a box safety, with his disciplined run support and eagerness to drop the hammer. Though he reacts well to front-facing throws, he has a tough time locating the ball downfield, and his coverage busts lead to big plays for the offense. Overall, Williams doesn’t have playmaking instincts in the deep half of the field, but he is an energetic field presence with a trigger and toughness that are easy to appreciate. He projects as a backup strong safety and core special teamer in the mold of Alohi Gilman.”

Lance Zierlein’s scouting report: “Williams was a tad more consistent in 2022 while at Fresno State, but he was also put in better position to succeed. He is broad-hipped with limited agility and athleticism to align too far away from the line of scrimmage. He’s a box safety with a good feel for finding entry points and making tackles near the line. He can match up underneath and is average in zone but will allow too many big plays against NFL wideouts. He has a chance to impress on special teams but inconsistent open-field tackling could hurt his chances of becoming a viable backup strong safety.”

They said it: “He’s smart, he’s instinctive, he’s a good kid, he makes tackles, makes play around the ball. He’s always around the ball…I think he’ll fit into our locker room because he’s a good guy, we won’t have to worry about him.” — Sam Seale, national scout

New uniform

RAS card

Highlights

Green Bay Packers 2024 fourth-round pick: S Evan Williams

The Packers selected Oregon safety Evan Williams in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers selected safety Evan Williams in the fourth round (No. 111 overall) of the 2024 NFL draft.

Height: 5-11
Weight: 206
Age: 22
From: Campbell, CA

College profile

Breakdown:Fresno State transfer produced 35 stops in 2023, the most among drafted safeties this year. Started 45 total games. Excelled at the Senior Bowl. Played almost 500 snaps on special teams and produced both a blocked punt and blocked extra point. Aggressive playing downhill and a solid tackler. The Packers believe he can play deep and in the slot while being a plus run-supporting defensive back. Brian Gutekunst moved up 15 spots in the fourth round to get him.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 67, Oregon DB Evan Williams

Dane Brugler’s scouting report: “A one-year starter at Oregon, Williams was a versatile safety in head coach Dan Lanning’s balanced scheme. After four years at Fresno State, he transferred to Eugene for the 2023 season and led the Ducks in tackles, finishing his college career with 45 starts. Although he has the size of a free safety, Williams has the mentality of a box safety, with his disciplined run support and eagerness to drop the hammer. Though he reacts well to front-facing throws, he has a tough time locating the ball downfield, and his coverage busts lead to big plays for the offense. Overall, Williams doesn’t have playmaking instincts in the deep half of the field, but he is an energetic field presence with a trigger and toughness that are easy to appreciate. He projects as a backup strong safety and core special teamer in the mold of Alohi Gilman.”

Lance Zierlein’s scouting report: “Williams was a tad more consistent in 2022 while at Fresno State, but he was also put in better position to succeed. He is broad-hipped with limited agility and athleticism to align too far away from the line of scrimmage. He’s a box safety with a good feel for finding entry points and making tackles near the line. He can match up underneath and is average in zone but will allow too many big plays against NFL wideouts. He has a chance to impress on special teams but inconsistent open-field tackling could hurt his chances of becoming a viable backup strong safety.”

They said it: “He’s smart, he’s instinctive, he’s a good kid, he makes tackles, makes play around the ball. He’s always around the ball…I think he’ll fit into our locker room because he’s a good guy, we won’t have to worry about him.” — Sam Seale, national scout

New uniform

RAS card

Highlights

Instant analysis of Packers taking Oregon S Evan Williams at No. 111 overall

Instant reaction to the Packers taking Oregon S Evan Williams at No. 111 overall in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers traded up to No. 111 overall in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft and selected Oregon safety Evan Williams.

The Packers gave up a sixth-round pick to move up 25 spots and get Williams, who should give Jeff Hafley’s defense another solid option at safety to team with Xavier McKinney, 2024 second-round pick Javon Bullard and 2023 seventh-round pick Anthony Johnson Jr.

Analysis: Williams was a two-year starter at Fresno State before transferring to Oregon and producing arguably his best season in 2023. He produced 35 stops and was productive as a blitzer, creating 4.5 sacks and eight total pressures. Williams received strong run defense grades each of the last three seasons from PFF, giving him box safety appeal. He allowed only two touchdown passes in coverage. His special teams experience includes almost 500 snaps, five tackles covering kicks and two blocks. Williams was voted the best safety on the National team at the Senior Bowl (note: Bullard was voted best safety on the American team). Most of Williams’ snaps at Oregon came either at free safety or in the box.

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Fit: Versatile safety who should provide immediate impact on special teams. Possible future starter next to McKinney if the Packers move Bullard to the slot.

Profile

Age: 22
Height: 5-11
Weight: 206
Arm length: 30 1/2″
Hand: 10 1/8″
Wingspan: 73 3/4″
40-yard dash: 4.59
10-yard split: 1.59
Vertical jump: 40.5″
Broad jump: 10-6
Short shuttle: 4.08
Three-cone: 7.10
Bench: 18
RAS: 8.20

Packers select Oregon S Evan Williams at No. 111 overall in 2024 draft

The Green Bay Packers traded up and selected Oregon safety Evan Williams with the 111th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers traded up and selected Oregon safety Evan Williams with the 111th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Packers sent a fifth-round pick (No. 190 overall) to the New York Jets to move up from No. 126 and select Williams at No. 111.

Williams (5-11, 206) produced 307 tackles, 16.0 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 19 pass breakups, four forced fumbles and four interceptions over 52 games and 45 starts across four seasons at Fresno State and one season at Oregon.

Williams is 22 years old. He was a two-time All-Mountain West pick and a one-time All-Pac 12 pick. Williams went to the Senior Bowl and was voted the top safety for the National team.

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Across the combine and pro day, Williams ran the 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds. hit 40″ in the vertical leap and covered 10-6 in the broad jump. He also finished the short shuttle in 4.08 seconds and the three-cone drill in 7.10 and completed 18 reps in the bench press. His Relative Athletic Score is 8.20.

Williams has almost 500 career snaps on special teams. He blocked a punt and an extra point.

Williams joins Javon Bullard as new draft picks at safety for the Packers. He could immediately contribute as a special teamer for Rich Bisaccia and a backup behind Bullard and Xavier McKinney.

Oregon S Evan Williams selected by Green Bay Packers with No. 111 pick

Evan Williams is headed to Green Bay as the Packers select him with the No. 111 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Former Oregon Ducks safety Evan Williams received the call he had been waiting for on Saturday morning, when the Green Bay Packers selected him in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft with the 111th pick.

Williams’ career at Oregon was short. He spent just one year with the Ducks after transferring from the Fresno State Bulldogs ahead of the 2023 season. But his time in Eugene was notable. Williams played in 13 games for the Ducks, racking up a team-high 82 tackles with 5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.

Williams had an incredibly productive career between the Bulldogs and Ducks, totaling 308 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 4 interceptions across five years.

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Assessing Evan Williams’ performance at the 2024 NFL Combine

Assessing Evan Williams’ performance at the 2024 NFL Combine

All of the best college football has to offer have gathered in Indianapolis this weekend for the NFL Combine and Oregon safety Evan Williams is among those trying to help out his draft status.

Right now, scouts consider Williams as a backup safety who will play on special teams, but with a strong combine and the possibility of a good pro day in a couple of months, that evaluation will improve.

When Williams transferred to Oregon from Fresno State, he filled in a huge need at the back of the secondary for the one season he was a Duck. He may not have all the talent in the world as compared to those elite safeties, but an NFL team, should they choose to select him, will get a player who will outwork any of those elite players in camp.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 67, Oregon DB Evan Williams

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Oregon defensive back Evan Williams.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.

While speaking to Packers.com at the NFL Scouting Combine, Brian Gutekunst mentioned that he wants his safeties to be versatile. 

“It really helps your defense to be multiple and flexible so teams can’t get a bead on what you’re doing,” Gutekunst said. “So, in a perfect world, quite frankly, between the two safeties and the nickel, those three guys almost need to be interchangeable completely.”

A player capable of wearing multiple hats that the Green Bay Packers could target in the 2024 NFL Draft is Evan Williams. The Oregon safety checks in at No. 67 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

During his four seasons at Fresno State, Williams recorded 226 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four interceptions and 12 pass deflections. 

This past season in Eugene, Williams recorded 82 tackles, five tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He built off that strong season with an impressive week in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. 

“Evan Williams was a big part of the Oregon defense this year, mainly for his tackling ability and knack for always being in on the play,” Zachary Neel, the managing editor of Duckswire.com, said. “While his coverage can certainly improve, he was consistently in on every play and proved to be one of the more valuable pieces on the defense.”

Williams is a player capable of wearing multiple hats. He has the short-area quickness to man the slot and he has the range to play deep. During his collegiate career, Williams logged 604 snaps in the slot and 960 snaps at safety. 

As a run defender, Williams runs the alley with urgency. He plays with a relentless motor and shows excellent pursuit speed with outstanding range as a run defender. He is eager to throw his weight around. The former Fresno State defensive back is rarely out of his position and always seems to be in on the action. 

“I think one of Williams’ biggest assets is physicality and ability to tackle in open space,” Neel said. “He has a keen nose for the football and always seems to be in on the play. Williams was very good in run defense this past season, often coming up into the box and on the flats to make tackles.”

Williams is a highly instinctive player and is quick to read routes and takes proper angles to get from point A to point B quickly. He trusts his field vision, which allows him to play fast and under control. He is quick to get to the receiver and get them on the ground to limit YAC. 

“Williams was pretty good about being in the right spot when it came to covering receivers downfield,” Nell said. “His ball skills need to improve so he can be a more impactful player in the passing game.”

During his collegiate career, Williams logged 466 snaps on special teams and recorded five tackles. 

Fit with the Packers

With Darnell Savage Jr, Jonathan Owens and Rudy Ford all set to hit the open market this offseason, the Packers will need an infusion of talent at safety. 

Gutekunst wants his defensive backs to be versatile and Williams is capable of playing in the slot and deep. 

“I think Williams had a great career at Fresno State, and then he proved that he could still produce at a high level when stepping up on a bigger field in his one season with the Ducks,” Neel said. “He is a gamer, and someone who is going to be among the hardest-working players on the roster.”

With his versatility, competitive toughness, instincts and special teams experience, Williams would be an attractive target for the Packers on Day 3 of the draft as they look to round out their safety room. 

Duck fans, NFL draft analysts react as Bo Nix, Evan Williams show out in Senior Bowl

Both Bo Nix and Evan Williams put on a show during the Reese’s Senior Bowl on Saturday, drawing a nice reaction from Oregon Duck fans online.

It’s been a great week for former Oregon Ducks down in Mobile, Alabama while the Reese’s Senior Bowl practices went on, with many of the players improving their draft stock a ton leading up to April.

However, it was only quarterback Bo Nix and safety Evan Williams who ended up playing in the actual Senior Bowl on Saturday, with Jackson Powers-Johnson, Khyree Jackson, and Brandon Dorlus choosing to sit out for various reasons.

That didn’t stop the highlights from pouring in, though.

In just a couple of series under center, Nix was impressive, completing four of his five passes with a touchdown and only one incompletion that came on a perfectly thrown deep ball that was dropped.

Meanwhile, Williams was all over the field making tackles and he came up with a big-time interception in the first half as well.

Here’s how Oregon fans and NFL draft analysts reacted to the Oregon Ducks’ performances on Saturday afternoon.

Evan Williams, Jackson Powers-Johnson earn honors at Reese’s Senior Bowl

Oregon Ducks OL Jackson Powers-Johnson and S Evan Williams earned honors this week at the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

The five Oregon Ducks who went on to play at the Reese’s Senior Bowl this week have certainly made good impressions.

On the offensive side of the ball, Bo Nix dazzled with his arm talent and accuracy, while Jackson Powers-Johnson boosted his draft stock as arguably the best interior offensive lineman in the class. Defensively, Brandon Dorlus displayed an array of dominant pass-rushing moves, while Khyree Jackson and Evan Williams locked things down in the secondary.

With the Senior Bowl officially kicking off on Saturday morning, airing on NFL Network, a pair of Ducks have been given honors from the past week of practice.

Williams was honored as the Defensive Specialist Player of the Week, which is an award voted on by players and coaches at the Senior Bowl.

Meanwhile, Powers-Johnson was named the Offensive Player of the Week by Pro Football Network, even though he left before the week was done with a mild hamstring injury.

Talk to folks on the ground or watching the tape from home, and there’s little disagreement that Jackson Powers-Johnson was the best offensive player in Mobile, Ala. The Oregon center only played for two practices, but that was all the 6’3″, 330-pound blocker needed to leave a lasting impression.

In 1-on-1s, playing at both guard and his natural position of center, Powers-Johnson was dominant — anchoring with violent hands, matching with athleticism, absorbing power with stellar leverage, and finishing with his trademark physicality.

We will see where the former Ducks end up getting drafted in April, but it’s fair to say all in attendance this week did a great job of improving their draft stock.

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Senior Bowl players to watch this week at practices and Saturday’s game

A list of both Oregon Duck players and other players who fans should watch this week at the annual Senior Bowl.

The annual Senior Bowl is taking place this weekend down in Mobile, Alabama, with the game kicking off at 10 a.m. PT on Saturday morning. However, there are multiple practices taking place this week leading up to the big showcase, most of which are being aired on NFL Network and ESPN Plus.

A total of five Oregon Ducks are down in Mobile looking to showcase their abilities and up their NFL Draft stock. Beyond just the Ducks, there are a number of players who Duck fans know well from their time in college who will be interesting to watch as well.

Here’s a list of all the players that you need to be aware of this week at the Senior Bowl.