Draft Profile: Dorian Williams
Position: LB - Age: 21 - School: Tulane
Athletic Profile
Height: 6010
Weight: 228
Arm Length: 33 3/4”
40 Time: 4.49
10 Yard Split: 1.52
Vertical: 33 1/2”
Broad Jump: 1000
3-Cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Relative Athletic Score: 8.81
* Indicates Recorded At Pro Day
Statistics
2022: 22 PR - 6 SK - 97 TKL (8.3 MIS%) - 3 PBU - 67.1 NFL
2021: 9 PR - 0 SK - 54 TKL (10.5 MIS%) - 3 PBU - 122.8 NFL
Snap Count
DL: 82
BOX 1,788
SLOT: 152
Pros
Plus Sideline to Sideline Speed
Plus Length
3rd Down Impact As Rusher & Coverage Player
Splash Player In Run Game
Cons
Poor Block Deconstruction In The Hole
Slow Processor in Run Game
Over Aggressive In Space
Lacks Size in Run Game
Summary
Dorian Williams committed to Tulane as a three star recruit from the state of South Carolina out of High School. An early enrollee, he was an instant impact player for the Green Wave. 2022 was his first full year starting and the team captain had his best season of his career with 6 sacks and 97 tackles.
Williams is a fast, explosive linebacker in the run game. He is at his best when allowed to be downhill and aggressive, whether that is as a blitzer or flowing sideline to sideline. He displays excellent first step burst and closing speed to cover large distances. He struggles more as a box run defender where his lack of play strength is more apparent. Williams is a step slow to react as a run defender and is often caught peeking in the backfield. Too often is he caught flat footed by lineman at the second level and washed out of the play. Williams has the length to punch and extend lineman but struggles to disengage quickly. He will need to greatly improve his block deconstruction ability if he wants to stick at the next level.
Williams brings an intriguing skill set as a third down impact player. He has the size and length to cause issues in zone coverage and the movement skills to be a capable man coverage player. He saw a massive spike in pass rush production (0 Sacks -> 6 Sacks) and coverage ability (122.8 NFL -> 67.1 NFL) from 2021 to 2022. He still has work to do when it comes to being consistent with his zone dropping landmarks but the athletic ability in space pops off the tape. He has the agility and balance to be an impactful blitzer on third down despite having average flexibility.
Williams has the physical profile and motor skills to stick at the NFL level. Only a one year starter he has room to grow when it comes to play processing and instincts. Williams possesses ideal physical tools for the modern day WILL backer and given some time could develop into a quality starter. Williams projects as a special teams star and sub package linebacker in his early years with the potential to one day take the starting WILL spot in a defense.
Grade: 5.88 - Fourth Round Grade (Has A Chance To Contribute)
Games Watched: Oklahoma (2021), Houston (2022), UCF (2022), Cincinnati (2022)