The Ringer mocks Falcons drafting Alabama WR with first round pick

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In almost every national draft pundit’s mock draft, the Falcons address their desperate need for pass catchers. Drake London, Garrett Wilson, and Treylon Burks have been cycled through mocks for the Falcons since news broke of Calvin Ridley‘s suspension. It is an undeniable glaring need.

However, in The Ringer’s latest mock draft, Danny Kelly has Atlanta going in a different direction. Still a wideout, but this time, a new face — Jameson Williams.

The Falcons have little hope of contending in 2022, so they won’t need to rush Williams back too quickly from a torn ACL, which he suffered in the national championship game. The speedy former Crimson Tide star brings the field-tilting impact this offense desperately needs.

Coming off a torn ACL, Williams has been docked on most draft boards because the injury came so late in the season. However, reports suggest the former Alabama star won’t miss much of any time when he reports to training camp.

He’s an electric deep threat with the breakaway speed and ankle-breaking agility that scouts are drooling over. He’s not only impressive before the catch — impressive route-running ability — but also after the catch — extremely elusive.

I might not be the biggest advocate for a receiver with the Falcons’ first-round pick, but I do believe Williams has the ideal skill set to compliment Kyle Pitts. Below is a comprehensive scouting report from Kelly:

Williams is a home-run-hitting vertical receiver with a slender, sinewy build and elite speed. A former four-star prospect out of St. Louis, Missouri, he was a high school track star who bested Ezekiel Elliott’s state record in the 300-meter hurdles (37.28) as a sophomore and won another two state titles during his junior year (defending his 300-meter hurdles crown while winning in the 400 meters). He started his college career at Ohio State, but after playing a rotational role alongside Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, he transferred to Alabama in 2021. He went ballistic for the Tide, hauling in 79 passes for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns in 15 games, finishing in the top-10 in the country in receiving yards per game (104.8) and tied for third in touchdowns.

Williams has breakaway deep speed. He shows elite burst to hit the nitrous oxide boosters and run away from corners on crossing routes and go routes, and he’s got an extra gear that helps him pull away from defenders after the catch. He’s a smooth athlete who makes sharp cuts as a route runner, creates separation, and doesn’t need to gear down at the catch point, deftly gathering the pass while turning downfield in one fluid motion. He can line up outside or in the slot, is tough to hang with on double moves, and he tracks the ball well; per PFF, Williams caught 12 deep passes in 2021 (defined as throws more than 20 yards downfield), tallying 631 yards and eight touchdowns on those plays. He’s strong on contested passes, showing the concentration and hand strength to leap up and grab a pass in traffic. He has good body control to spin, twist, and contort to catch the ball without losing his footing. Williams brings run-after-the-catch talent and elusiveness in the open field, both traits that made him an excellent kick returner for Alabama, too (he took two kicks back for touchdowns last year). Coaches will love that he’s also an excellent punt-team gunner.

Williams is slender and won’t overwhelm bigger and more physical cornerbacks across from him, and he isn’t going to add a whole lot as a blocker. The biggest question mark for the former Alabama star heading into this draft, though, will be how his medicals check out: He tore his ACL in the national championship game, and that could affect his ability to get back onto the field early on in 2022.

 

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