NFL Draft Prospect Profile: DT Tyleik Williams

Overview

Tyleik Williams is a 22-year old defensive tackle out of The Ohio State University. The senior from Virginia was a four-star prospect that came in and made a difference right away. He was a Freshman All-American who only got better as time went on. He’s solidified himself as one of the top defensive tackles in this year’s draft.

Williams finished his senior season with 46 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 8 TFLs across 13 games. While the numbers don’t jump out at you, he was a big reason why the Buckeyes went on to win the National Championship. In his career at Ohio State, he started a total of 51 games across 4 seasons, showing that he is able to stay healthy and available for multiple years.

Positives

• Keeps his eyes in the backfield, allowing himself to locate the ballcarrier and make a play.
• Terrific size and weight for an interior defender.
• Sneaky quickness and speed with great power.
• Has the potential to become an elite run stuffer.

Negatives

• Will need to focus on staying low and maintaining pad level.
• Has to add more pass rush moves to his repertoire.
• Needs to improve hand skills.
• Shorter arms may make it tougher to fight double teams at the NFL level.

Draft Projection

Tyleik Williams is a late first-round to early second-round projected prospect. He will be in range for the Bills to either move up a little and get him, or have him fall right into their laps. I have a mid-late first-round grade on him. If it wasn’t a deep defensive tackle class, Williams would be going higher in the draft.

The Bills should be looking to improve their defensive tackle position after a disappointing season from DaQuan Jones. They still have DeWayne Carter and Ed Oliver but it will be important for the team to get a clear 1-tech defensive tackle. That’s what Tyleik Williams is, and I believe he could be a player that fills that hole for many years.