San Diego Chargers: Top Offensive Linemen Prospects
Daryl Williams, University of Oklahoma
Out of Lake Dallas High School in Lake Dallas, Texas, Daryl Williams was instantly recognized nationally as he was named the 19th best offensive tackle by Scout.com and a four-star recruit by rivals.com.
His Lake Dallas Falcons averaged 440 yards per game on offense as Williams recorded 38 pancake blocks and zero total sacks in his senior season.
Williams was then taken into the arms of the University of Oklahoma and saw some action in 2011 after initially redshirting. He then saw gradual success at the right tackle position, eventually switching to left tackle during the latter part of his junior season.
By the end of his career at Oklahoma, Williams was the proud recipient of numerous honors and recognition. During his sophomore and junior seasons, Williams ended up securing All-Big 12 Honorable Mention by coaches in 2012, All-Big 12 Second Team by coaches and Phil Steele in 2013.
However, it was in his senior season in which we really saw Williams play to the best of his abilities. In his 13 games started, Winner of Oklahoma’s Bob Kalsu Award, All-Big 12 First Team by numerous sources and earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors for Offensive Lineman of the Year by the league’s coaches.
As it stands, Williams is the 96th overall prospect on CBSSports.com and is projected to be taken in the third round of this year’s draft as the ninth-best offensive tackle.
According to the Sports Xchange’s Frank Cooney, “although Williams’ thick body and initial quickness are impressive, he doesn’t really show the elite footwork necessary to cope with pass rushers in the NFL. After being exposed by speedy defenders at the Senior Bowl workouts, there was talk among scouts who feel Williams may be a more reliable guard in the NFL.”
When looking at his tape, Williams does in fact have some poor qualities in his lack of footwork and susceptibility to outside pass rushers (as shown in the senior bowl). He does have a great, big frame at 6-5, 327 and has 27 225-pound reps at the combine.
As it stands right now, the Chargers have (for the most part) already secured their offensive line of the future with the signing of former Denver Broncos guard Orlando Franklin and re-signing of right tackle D.J. Fluker and left tackle King Dunlap. The only true needs for the Bolts in terms of the offensive line in the center and left guard positions in which the Bolts do have players, but not Pro-Bowl caliber players.
With that stated, I believe that the Chargers should nab Williams with their third round selection in the case that they don’t take a guard in the second round. Williams has shown to not be true tackle material and I think that the Bolts can pick him up at a discount by having him play the guard position.
If the Chargers see this Oklahoma standout still on the board in the third round, they should take him sooner rather than later.
Next: Number 4: Reese Dismukes