National Football League

2017 NFL Draft: 5 Best Landing Spots for Tim Williams

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:20 p.m. ET

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Which pro teams are the five best landing spots for Alabama Crimson Tide pass rusher Tim Williams in the upcoming 2017 NFL Draft?

Pass rushers will always be in demand in the NFL, which makes Alabama edge rusher Tim Williams an interesting prospect. On the field he is a nightmare for opposing teams. The 6-4, 252-pound edge rusher was credited with 18.5 sacks over the past two seasons for the defensively dominant Crimson Tide.

Off the field though, there are concerns in regard to Williams. He was arrested during his time in Tuscaloosa, an event summed up in an article by CBS Sport's Rob Rang:

Williams and a friend not on the Alabama football team were reportedly found by police in a black Chevrolet Impala at approximately 1 a.m. in a Tuscaloosa parking lot. Police approached the car due to the smell of burnt marijuana and discovered a bag of the drug and a gun in the center console.

The weirdest thing about the arrest for Williams is that he claimed the weed belonged to his friend Brandon Chicken. Who knows, maybe he was telling the truth about Mr. Chicken, but the fact is he did have an unregistered gun which led to his arrest.

Even with the transgression, Williams is good enough to find a team at the next level. Which five NFL franchises are most likely to take a chance and bet his skills will be worth the risk of him landing in hot water again someday?

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Tim Williams (56) in action against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

5. Seattle Seahawks

Williams has good size, but may not necessarily have a defined role in the NFL just yet. He rushed the passer from the outside linebacker position in Alabama. The Tide operate an NFL style system and their 3-4 defense has produced some solid players on that side of the ball. Naturally looking at a player from there the 3-4 continues to jump to the front of the mind. Williams however can fit into a 4-3 defense as well.

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Of course, if the Seattle Seahawks picked him none of that would matter. Seattle has a way of moving their players around to do what they do best. They have used players like Bruce Irvin as a linebacker and edge rusher in the past and they now alternate Michael Bennett from defensive end to tackle.

In Seattle, Williams could see himself as a hand-in-the dirt defensive end for the most part, but they would also feature looks where he can do what he is used to which is rush from a standing stance. This move also makes sense because Seattle can use more pass rushers. They are a defensive minded club and can make a splash late in the draft by grabbing a dynamic player like Williams. What's more, they have an established group of veterans that would likely be able to keep any off-field concerns for Williams from resurfacing in the NFL.

Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jarvis Jones (95) against the Denver Broncos during the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

Another team that could snatch Williams up late in the draft is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Here, his fit seems even better as the Steelers run a 3-4 defense much like the Crimson Tide do. Heading to the Steel City would place him on a team known historically for defense while allowing him to stay at his outside linebacker spot. There's also an opening as Pittsburgh looks content to let outside linebacker Jarvis Jones walk in free agency.

Saying goodbye to Jones wouldn't be a shocker. Drafted 17th overall in 2013, Jones has yet to carve out a niche for himself with the Steelers. He did move to full-time starting status in 2015, but in that season he managed to record only two sacks on the year. For his career, Jones has just six sacks and his career high in tackles for a season is 42, which he had in 2016.

Williams on the other hand should be a much better pass rusher. Of course there's no guarantees either as whispers are out there that Williams has struggled some with the Crimson Tide playbook. Could Pittsburgh balk at selecting him over the character red flags mixed with the concerns over his football understanding. Maybe, but he sure could fill a need.

Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Vic Beasley (44) celebrates a sack in the second half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Falcons defeated the Broncos 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

3. Atlanta Falcons

In the second half of the season, the Atlanta Falcons really turned things around defensively. They did so well that they no longer were just an offensive team led by 2016 NFL MVP Matt Ryan in the postseason, but a serious contender that came incredibly close to winning it all. In the second half of Super Bowl 51, however, they simply couldn't slow down the New England Patriots offense. As improved as the Falcons were, they just couldn't get to quarterback Tom Brady quick enough.

Of course, Atlanta has recently spent an early pick to try and remedy the edge rush by taking Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley, Jr. He moved to linebacker for the Falcons and recorded 15.5 sacks in his second season. Pairing him with Williams could turn Atlanta from a decent defense that turned things around into a feared group that keeps offensive coordinators up at night.

Head coach Dan Quinn is a defensive minded guy and would love to have the dual pass rushers. The question comes to whether or not Atlanta trusts Williams to keep his nose clean. A lot of that will be determined by how he shows himself during the pre-draft process.

Jan 1, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory (94) sacks Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Cowboys, 27-13. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

2. Dallas Cowboys

Maybe Dallas Cowboys fans would finally just fly off the handle if Dallas takes another player with any questionable history. During the 2015 NFL Draft, they selected Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory, a top-10 talent who slipped to the later part of Round 2 after failed a drug test at the NFL Combine. That same season, they signed the troubled Greg Hardy to play defensive end as well.

Of course, Gregory is now suspended for at least a calendar year as he keeps smoking pot and Hardy was still a lightning rod during his one year in Big D. Those issues alone may force Dallas to look elsewhere for edge rush help, even if it means lesser talent than Williams.

Still, it would be hard for the Boys to pass up on Williams. Right now, no one on the team recorded more than six sacks last year, and that was done by rotational rusher Benson Mayowa. Dallas is flat-out desperate for help in this area and Williams would be a starter from the second he walked into their facility. Perhaps in the end, if the Crimson Tide rusher is available at pick 28, it may be too tempting not to take the risk since there is a shot Williams becomes an elite rusher in the NFL.

Nov 2, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Indianapolis Colts helmet lays on the field after the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Carolina defeated Indianapolis 29-26 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

1. Indianapolis Colts

With the 14th overall pick, being selected by the Indianapolis Colts would probably make Williams happier than if any other team on this list picks him—as they all pick near the end of Round 1 of the 2017 NFL Draft. Going in the top half means a lot more money, and there's still a chance that he could be on a good team with the Colts.

Indy struggled over the past two season, but that was mainly because of a lack of talent on the offensive line as well as not having a pass rush. Last season, they went with former Alabama center Ryan Kelly in Round 1. Now in the 2017 NFL Draft, they could start to improve their pass rush with a player like Williams.

Much like with Pittsburgh earlier, the Colts run a 3-4 system which would allow Williams to stay in the position he knows best. They can also mitigate any issues with him struggling with learning a defense if he is at least able to have a similar role to the one he had in Bama.

Despite any questions about him, Williams is a first-round talent and it would be shocking to see him slip into Round 2. Pass rushers are simply too important and too hard to find for Williams to be overlooked for too long.