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Finding the Fits: Cornerback Williams could surprise in San Diego
This article is one of a series called Finding the Fits in which NFLDraftScout.com will review some of the more intriguing picks made during the 2013 NFL Draft. The goal of the series is to identify one relatively unheralded player per team who appears to be a good schematic fit and, therefore, more likely to be a surprise contributor early in his pro career.
San Diego Chargers' best fit: CB Steve Williams, Cal, 5th Round, No. 145 overall
With only six picks in the 2013 draft, new San Diego Chargers' general manager Tom Telesco had limited ammunition to re-tool a roster left with some glaring holes, especially along the offensive line and in the secondary.
San Diego's first two picks - right tackle D.J. Fluker and inside linebacker Manti Te'o - are expected to start and play well immediately. As one of the potential felony-caliber steals of the 2013 draft, wideout
Third round wideout Keenan Allen made sense to profile here, as well.
Few outside of Pac-12 country, however, know much about former Cal cornerback Steve Williams, the Chargers' fifth round pick. That could be about to change as the former all-conference defender could play a surprisingly impactful role in San Diego as a rookie.
Telesco and new head coach Mike McCoy allowed former first round picks Quentin Jammer (2002) and Antoine Cason (2008) to leave via free agency. Former Jacksonville Jaguars' corner Derek Cox was signed to a four-year, $20 million dollar deal to stabilize one half of the field but the other side is expected to be manned by either 2011 third round pick Shareece Wright or fellow third-year pro Johnny Patrick, who was released by New Orleans. Patrick started one game for the Saints in 2012. Wright has yet to start an NFL game. Cox, while quite effective when healthy, hasn't been able to remain so often. After playing in all 16 games for the Jaguars as a rookie, Cox has missed 17 games over the past three years due to injury.
At just 5-09, 181-pounds, Williams hardly looks the part of a savior at cornerback for the Chargers but his durability and playmaking ability at Cal made him one of the Pac-12's most respected defenders. While obviously smaller than scouts would prefer, Williams is a tenacious, physical defender who doesn't back down from the challenges of facing bigger receivers. Few from the 2013 draft class were faster (4.34 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the combine) or a more explosive leaper (40.5" in the vertical jump) than Williams and he is far from just a workout warrior.
(continued at link)
Finding the Fits: Cornerback Williams could surprise in San Diego
This article is one of a series called Finding the Fits in which NFLDraftScout.com will review some of the more intriguing picks made during the 2013 NFL Draft. The goal of the series is to identify one relatively unheralded player per team who appears to be a good schematic fit and, therefore, more likely to be a surprise contributor early in his pro career.
San Diego Chargers' best fit: CB Steve Williams, Cal, 5th Round, No. 145 overall
With only six picks in the 2013 draft, new San Diego Chargers' general manager Tom Telesco had limited ammunition to re-tool a roster left with some glaring holes, especially along the offensive line and in the secondary.
San Diego's first two picks - right tackle D.J. Fluker and inside linebacker Manti Te'o - are expected to start and play well immediately. As one of the potential felony-caliber steals of the 2013 draft, wideout
Third round wideout Keenan Allen made sense to profile here, as well.
Few outside of Pac-12 country, however, know much about former Cal cornerback Steve Williams, the Chargers' fifth round pick. That could be about to change as the former all-conference defender could play a surprisingly impactful role in San Diego as a rookie.
Telesco and new head coach Mike McCoy allowed former first round picks Quentin Jammer (2002) and Antoine Cason (2008) to leave via free agency. Former Jacksonville Jaguars' corner Derek Cox was signed to a four-year, $20 million dollar deal to stabilize one half of the field but the other side is expected to be manned by either 2011 third round pick Shareece Wright or fellow third-year pro Johnny Patrick, who was released by New Orleans. Patrick started one game for the Saints in 2012. Wright has yet to start an NFL game. Cox, while quite effective when healthy, hasn't been able to remain so often. After playing in all 16 games for the Jaguars as a rookie, Cox has missed 17 games over the past three years due to injury.
At just 5-09, 181-pounds, Williams hardly looks the part of a savior at cornerback for the Chargers but his durability and playmaking ability at Cal made him one of the Pac-12's most respected defenders. While obviously smaller than scouts would prefer, Williams is a tenacious, physical defender who doesn't back down from the challenges of facing bigger receivers. Few from the 2013 draft class were faster (4.34 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the combine) or a more explosive leaper (40.5" in the vertical jump) than Williams and he is far from just a workout warrior.
(continued at link)
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