Tag: Javonte Williams

What an ideal 2021 draft looks like for the Cardinals

In what could be an important draft for Arizona’s future, here are some ideal scenarios for the Cardinals.

This could be a pivotal draft for the Arizona Cardinals, one that could make or break their future.

Right now, they have the pieces in place to make it to the playoffs, but there are still holes that they need to fill. While it is true that they can still fill some holes in free agency and have cleared some recent cap space to be able to do so, they still need to have a solid draft to round everything out.

With that in mind, here are, barring any trades, an ideal seven-round scenario for Arizona (and let’s hope this turns out as well as this one):


Potential plans at RB for Cardinals this offseason

Arizona still has a hole to potentially fill in alongside Chase Edmonds at running back – here are some ways they can do that.

The Arizona Cardinals still have a few glaring holes on the roster, though Steve Keim has said they will not panic in terms of filling out the roster. One of those holes is at running back.

There are many ways they can “not panic” to fill their need at running back,  even with them saying that they think that Chase Edmonds can handle the load.

Here are a few ways that they can do that:


Potential plans at RB for Cardinals this offseason

Arizona still has a hole to potentially fill in alongside Chase Edmonds at running back – here are some ways they can do that.

The Arizona Cardinals still have a few glaring holes on the roster, though Steve Keim has said they will not panic in terms of filling out the roster. One of those holes is at running back.

There are many ways they can “not panic” to fill their need at running back,  even with them saying that they think that Chase Edmonds can handle the load.

Here are a few ways that they can do that:


The top 11 running backs in the 2021 draft class

Do running backs still matter? They do in the draft, and here are the 11 best in the 2021 NFL draft class.

When we say that “Running backs don’t matter” in today’s NFL, I would opine that the more accurate slogan would be, “Running backs don’t matter if they don’t give an offense clear and definable traits and attributes.” It’s a bit clunkier, and you’re not going to see it on a T-shirt, but the running backs who come into the NFL with skill sets to help their professional offenses hit a different level will always be valuable, no matter how fungible backs may been seen at any given time.

Look at the running backs selected in the first round since 2016. That gives us a five-year view, and in that five years, the majority of NFL offenses have moved further and further away from the running back as the force multiplier of an offense. Eight backs have been taken in the first round in that time, and outside of Ezekiel Elliott, Christian McCaffrey, and Saquon Barkley, they haven’t been bellwether guys. Moreover, McCaffrey and Barkley have seen their overall value diminished due to injuries, and before Dak Prescott got hurt last season, the Cowboys were doing everything possible to put the offense in Prescott’s hands.

So, maybe it’s smarter to target the backs in later rounds who you think can accentuate what you want to accomplish schematically and philosophically. Few backs have been more valuable to their teams — in very different ways — than Derrick Henry and Alvin Kamara. Well, the Titans, who took Henry in the second round of the 2016 draft, want to beat you up and take your lunch money. Henry is the perfect back for that. Conversely, Sean Payton prefers his backs to be multi-positional tone-setters, and Kamara has proven to be the logical extension of Reggie Bush in Payton’s playbook. Which made him a ridiculous bargain in the third round of the 2017 draft.

The Seahawks got Chris Carson, their zone power back, in the seventh round of the 2017 draft, and the Packers took Aaron Jones in the fifth round that same year — which was before we understood what a perfect fit he’d be as a more versatile player in Matt LaFleur’s offense. Former head coach and offensive shot-caller Mike McCarthy didn’t understand Jones’ value, but LaFleur saw it right away.

Moving to the 2021 draft class of running backs, there’s a lot of specific talent here, and let’s not diminish any of these guys just because they’re not 300-carry dominators. Look closer and see just how they can help specific offenses.

How they can, in effect, matter.

Note: The percentiles in parentheses listed next to pro day data are compared to all historical athletic testing (combine and pro day) at the respective position of the player. Kudos to Pro Football Focus, and their Pro Day Schedule and Results Tracker, for this. As there was no scouting combine in 2021, and pro day schedules vary, we may not have all testing information for all prospects at publication time.

Rookie Rundown: RB Javonte Williams, North Carolina

North Carolina’s Javonte Williams should blossom in the right setting.

North Carolina running back Javonte Williams‘ violent rushing style will earn him a place on NFL and fantasy football rosters in no time. He thrashes through defenders and brings an all-around game that is arguably the most versatile of any incoming rookie prospect.

A prep linebacker turned running back, the high school valedictorian isn’t all brawn. Williams’ heady ways will attract plenty of suitors at the next level. The Tar Heels utilized him as a true freshman, and Williams would go on to earn AP second-team All-American and second-team All-ACC honors as a junior in 2020 while sharing the backfield with Michael Carter.

Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 220 pounds
40 time: 4.58 seconds

Williams may not be the fastest back, but neither was Frank Gore (also ran 4.58-second 40), and he turned out okay. Even though Williams may not be drafted as the highest running back taken in 2021’s NFL Draft, he certainly could prove to be the most effective out of the gates for fantasy football purposes.

Table: Javonte Williams NCAA stats (2018-20)

Year
School
Class
Gm*
Rushing
Receiving
Att
Yds
Avg
TD
Rec
Yds
Avg
TD
2018
 North Carolina
FR
10
43
224
5.2
5
8
58
7.3
0
2019
 North Carolina
SO
13
166
933
5.6
5
17
176
10.4
1
2020
 North Carolina
JR
11
157
1,140
7.3
19
25
305
12.2
3
Career
366
2,297
6.3
29
50
539
10.8
4

*includes postseason/bowl games

Williams led all NCAA rushers in missed tackles and finished fourth in yards after contact in 2020, per Pro Football Focus. He was second in attempts of 15 or more yards gained.

Sharing time during his three years at North Carolina prepared him for the modern NFL’s penchant for splitting workloads and compartmentalizing backfield chores. His versatility will allow for scheme flexibility, but any team serious about drafting Williams must predominantly value his smashmouth nature.

Pros

  • Only 366 NCAA touches means he doesn’t enter the NFL already half worn out
  • Ridiculously productive per touch, averaging 6.8 per play in his career and 7.9 last season
  • Powerful, violent style of play with elite yards-after-contact ability
  • Patient back who allows blocks to develop and paces his burst accordingly
  • Fluid enough hips to pull off jukes, start-stops, and cut-backs to create extra yardage
  • Three-down back potential
  • Tremendous contact balance — consistently able to shed clinging defenders, reset his center of gravity, and power forward
  • Experienced running more advanced routes out of the backfield
  • Demonstrated a crafty determination for the end zone in 2020
  • Improved pass protection as collegiate career moved along

Cons

  • Capable receiver but not naturally gifted in this area — a few ugly drops
  • Lacks breakaway speed, forcing him to earn extra yardage the hard way
  • The hyper-aggressive running style cuts both ways, opening him up to greater injury potential and possibly shortening any longevity gains resulting from a low touch total
  • While successful on inside zones and behind power-blocking schemes, may be a touch slow for outside zone work in the NFL

Fantasy football outlook

Williams could be a victim of a de-emphasis on his position and an extremely deep class at quarterback and wide receiver, pushing his draft stock below where it should be based on his merits. A likely draft placement is the early second round is still more than respectable, although Williams is deserving of spot among the top 32 players, regardless of position.

There’s a small chance Williams could make his way into the late first round. Either way, there will be a host of teams interested in his services atop the second round. Miami jumps out as a likely landing spot, provided it doesn’t invest a first-rounder in Travis Etienne or Najee Harris. The same can be said for the New York Jets.

The Jets (34th overall), Atlanta Falcons (35th), Miami Dolphins (36th), Denver Broncos (40th) and the New York Giants (42nd) are the most viable landing spots, if he escapes the first round.

In 2021’s fantasy season, Williams has a range of high-end backup all the way up to Rookie of the Year contender. Any of the aforementioned teams present more than enough touches to make him a No. 2 option with the right matchups.

Based on touch potential alone, the Jets and Falcons offer the most volume opportunity to become a bell cow. In Miami or Denver, he’d have more offensive stability but a pronounced role share. Over the long haul, Williams should be among the most coveted backs in upcoming dynasty/keeper drafts.

Saints send DL coach to Miami, RB’s coach to North Carolina pro day

New Orleans Saints position coaches were sent to scout 2021 NFL draft prospects like UNC RB Javonte Williams and Miami DE Jaelan Phillips.

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The pro day circuit for 2021 NFL draft prospects is in full swing, with coaches and scouts from around the country visiting college campuses to get a close look at this year’s upcoming rookie class. That’s true of the New Orleans Saints, too; college scouting director Jeff Ireland was recently seen at Notre Dame, while head coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis were in Alabama.

But it’s not just the big names living on the road this time of year. Position coaches and regional scouts are out and about, too. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reported that Saints running backs coach Joel Thomas was in North Carolina, where prospects Javonte Williams and Michael Carter tore up the turf. Williams measured respectable explosion and agility times, though his long speed in the 40 yard dash was unremarkable. Carter didn’t move the needle until he hit the agility drills, where he really shined. Either of them could be in play in the second or third rounds.

Meanwhile, the Athletic’s Manny Navarro reported that New Orleans defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen was sent to Miami’s pro day to survey a crowded field including Jaelan Phillips, Gregory Rousseau, Quincy Roche, and 2019 prospect Chigozie Nnoruka (who wasn’t drafted after his pro day was canceled in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic).

Phillips was maybe the best Hurricanes prospect for Nielsen to scout, measuring as one of the best athletes at the position since 1987. Phillips started his college career at UCLA, where he was injured in a car crash and later suffered a concussion, temporarily hanging up his cleats before transferring cross-country to Miami. He bagged 9 sacks, 4 hits, and 29 hurries (plus 3 pass deflections) on just 286 pass-rush snaps per Pro Football Focus last year. He’s a first-round prospect if his medicals check out.

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Javonte Williams’ testing numbers strikingly similar to Chase Edmonds’

While considered a bigger more physical back, Williams and Edmonds are very similarly built and had similar testing numbers for the NFL draft.

Many Arizona Cardinals fans would like to see the team add a running back to complement Chase Edmonds, who is currently slated to be the starter in 2021. Many feel a bigger, potentially more physical runner would be a good fit.

Some look at North Carolina running back Javonte Williams as that guy.

After all look at this stat — no other running back in college football forced more missed tackles than the 76 he forced last season.

Seems like a good fit.

However, Williams’ and Edmonds’ physical traits and athletic are much more similar than you might think.

Here are the numbers from Williams’ pro day and Edmonds’ from the combine in 2018.

Height

Williams: 5-foot-9 5/8

Edmonds: 5-foot-9 1/8

Weight

Williams: 212 pounds

Edmonds: 205 pounds

Williams was listed at North Carolina at 220 pounds and Edmonds is now listed at 210.

40-yard dash

Williams: 4.55 seconds

Edmonds: 4.55 seconds

3-cone drill

Williams: 6.93 seconds

Edmonds: 6.79 seconds

20-yard short shuttle

Williams: 4.09 seconds

Edmonds: 4.07 seconds

Vertical leap

Williams: 36 inches

Edmonds: 34 inches

Broad jump

Williams: 10-3

Edmonds: 10-2

Bench press

Williams: 22 reps at 225 lbs.

Edmonds: 19 reps at 225 lbs.

While the tape might show two different types of runners, both backs are built similarly and are very similar athletically.

It is something to consider as we project who might be the best fit with Edmonds in the backfield.

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NFL Draft: Eagles sent RB’s coach to UNC pro day for Javonte Williams and Michael Carter

Eagles sent RB coach to UNC pro day to scout Javonte Williams and Michael Carter

The Eagles have 11 picks in the 2021 NFL Draft and could have another 11 more when the 2022 selections process rolls around.

The Eagles have needs on their roster and young explosive players from the ACC could help the rebuild move quicker.

Miles Sanders needs a running mate and the Eagles like to run the ball with a committee approach to the position.

So it shouldn’t be surprising that Philadelphia was amongst the team in Chapel Hill for North Carolina’s pro day.

There, running backs coach, Jemal Singleton had a first-hand look at the duo of Javonte Williams and Michael Carter.

Williams gets most of the attention, but he and Carter both helped solidify UNC’s vaunted one-two punch in the backfield.

The Tarheels averaged 236 rushing yards (11th-highest average in FBS) and 2.9 rushing touchdowns per game (fifth-highest).

Carter finished the season with 1,5112 total scrimmage yards to Williams’s 1,445.

Williams led all Tarheels in scoring, logging 22 touchdowns from scrimmage — the fourth-most in the FBS for the 2020 season.

Williams ranks as the No. 32 ranked prospect on Daniel Jeremiah’s latest top-50 rankings, while Carter failed to crack the top-50.

Carter could be an option for the Eagles, who’ll eventually have to address Mile Sanders’ looming contract situation.

Sanders needs some help in the backfield and the former second-round pick only has two-years left on his deal and the Eagles will need to address his future at some point.

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Good luck trying to tackle Javonte Williams

North Carolina running back Javonte Williams is a tackle-breaking machine, making him one of the best runners in the 2021 NFL draft

If you’re an opposing defender with hopes of tackling a running back, you’d better hope that running back isn’t North Carolina’s Javonte Williams.

One of the top prospects at the position in this year’s class, Williams was a nightmare for would-be tacklers last season, leading the nation in making defenders miss on running plays (per Pro Football Focus).

Williams is a dark-horse candidate to come off the board in the first round, but if any team is lucky enough to land him on Day 2, they’ll quickly fall in love with his physical running style and three-down skill set.

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New Cardinals post-free agency mock draft simulation with a trade in 1st

In this NFL mock draft, the Arizona Cardinals’ priorities are trade back and address CB, RB and TE.

We have another week of free agency in the books and the Arizona Cardinals have nailed down a No. 1 cornerback, having agreed to a one-year deal with Malcolm Butler. How will this move affect the Cardinals’ strategy in the NFL draft next month?

We have a new mock draft simulation that goes a full seven rounds.

As with each simulation I have done in the last few weeks, it is to try and play out different scenarios with different priorities.

In this one, the goal is to trade back and address cornerback, running back and tight end. There are two trades to move back and the Cardinals go from having six picks to 10 overall.

Let’s go through the trades and the picks.