The Saints have quietly accumulated a lot of young talent the last couple of years, and it is now time for some of those seeds to bear fruit. Over the next week or so I’m going to go through a list of players who need to prove that they are more than just a roster spot for the Saints. There is no order or ranking here, but these are 5 guys who I believe will help determine if the team succeeds or fails this season. These are the guys who have quietly put in the work, and whether its year 2,3, or 4 now is the time for us to watch them and see what they can become. The first player up on the list is second year cornerback P.J. Williams who was the Saints third round draft pick last year (one of 2).
Concerns:
Williams didn’t really come in with much of an injury history, and while he suffered a leg injury last year it didn’t necessarily have to be season ending. The Coaches and management clearly decided that it was best to sit Williams, and in hindsight I agree. The anemic pass rush and coverage issues that plagued last year’s team wouldn’t have been of a lot of benefit to a rookie, and Williams likely benefited from a full year in an NFL weight room and in the film room. However, the concern is that he is either like all the Saints other corners not named Delvin Breaux and is injury prone, or that his old character issues will rear their heads.
Williams was widely considered a sure in for a first round pick last year before some poor decisions raised red flags and dropped him down to the third round. I felt that Williams was the most pro-ready corner outside of Marcus Peters, but with virtually no snaps last year we know nothing. The biggest concern is that Williams lack of snaps also stunted the potential year one growth, and when (sadly not if) Keenan gets hurt he will likely have to step in as the starter…and he may not be ready.
Reasons to be optimistic:
As I said before Williams was the most pro-ready corner in last years draft outside of the stud that was Marcus Peters. Williams has good size at six-feet and nearly 200 LBS. He’s a willing tackler who isn’t shy of contact, and has both ball skills and instincts. What is most important for his position though is belief in yourself. Any good corner has the ability to tell themselves that the opponent ‘just got lucky’, and to come back out the next play with the confidence that they will win. Williams has not only the necessary swagger, but at least at the college level he had the ability to back it up as he was a key piece in a national championship team. Williams is hard working, prideful, and has a hunger for greatness, all attributes that can help him become an asset for the team sooner rather than later.
He has the tools, the pedigree, the training, and he’s had the time to develop his body and learn in the film room what it takes to be a pro. The question with him isn’t does he possess the talent, the kid had a near universal first round grade for a reason, its can he put it all together quickly. In many ways Williams might be the most intriguing player in camp to me, because if he is able to develop quickly the Saints have a fantastic back up behind presumed number 2 corner Keenan Lewis just waiting in the wings for his chance to shine.
Way too early prediction:
I made the claim that I thought P.J. would become the starting corner opposite of Delvin Breaux by season’s end whether Keenan was healthy or not, and I am sticking to that. I love everything I’ve heard about him and love his make up as a player. I don’t think Williams is going to be a star right away like Delvin was, but he certainly has the ability to make a major impact in his first real season of football.
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