The Redskins, a team who has used its last two first-round selections on Alabama defensive lineman, could flip the script with Williams and grab a gritty, powerful blocker to further bolster one of the best offensive lines in football joining Pro Bowlers Trent Williams and Brandon Scherff.
"Washington could play Williams at guard or tackle," Chad Reuter said in his latest mock draft.
Williams, a junior in 2018, declared for the NFL Draft immediately following the Crimson Tide's loss to Clemson in the CFP National Championship.The 6-foot-5 lineman started all 44 games of his career both at guard and tackle for Nick Saban.
As an incoming five-star recruit and freshman in 2016, Williams secured a starting job at right tackle for the Crimson Tide. He earned a reputation as one of the top true freshmen in the nation, not only on the offensive line but across all positions. He was selected as a Freshman All-American by USA Today and ESPN, and was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team by the conference coaches. He also helped the Tide rank 16th nationally and first in the SEC in scoring offense (38.8 ppg), 12th nationally and second in the league in rushing offense (245.0 ypg) and 34th in the nation in total offense (455.3 ypg).
In 2017 as a true sophomore, Williams made the move to the left side of the line where he would prove to be one of the top offensive lineman in all of college football. Williams earned second team All-America honors from the AFCA (American Football Coaches Association) while being named a third-team selection by the Associated Press, and chosen as a first team All-SEC player by both the Associated Press and the conference coaches.
He was named to the Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List, an award given to the top offensive/defensive lineman in the country. After starting every game, he surrendered just 2.5 sacks and eight pressures in 831 offensive snaps while committing just two penalties.
In Williams' 2018 junior season, he was again named an Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award finalist and was named a unanimous first team All-American (Walter Camp, the FWAA, Associated Press, The Sporting News and the AFCA), and also collected first team All-America recognition from The Athletic and Sports Illustrated.
Williams earned the SEC Jacobs Blocking Trophy from the league coaches, presented to the conference's top offensive lineman while addtionally being named to the All-SEC first team by the Associated Press and league coaches. The 300-pounder did not allow a sack all season and gave up just three pressures.
According to his Draft Network profile, Williams' "size and strength are NFL-ready. Excellent footwork out of his stance, entering his pass set with no wasted movements or false steps. Adjusts his set points based on edge defender's alignment. Patient in pass protection, waits for opponent to show his hands and then counters. Times up his strikes well to combat power. Explosive in his first step to build his house against wide nines. Zone footwork is solid. Even better vertical blocker, can locate and latch onto second level defenders in impressive fashion. Hinges on the backside are clean, locks out the defender to discourage pursuit. Good puller who finds his target on the second level and takes good angles to seal him off. Terrific mental processing to handle twists, stunts and even blitzes. Recognizes schemes pre-snap and rarely makes a mental error."
