Gifted and talented: Is Mike Williams ready for the NFL?

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By Clark Judge

SportsLine.com Senior Writer

If you want to know what's up with former USC wide receiver Mike Williams, here's a suggestion: Don't ask an NFL coach or general manager. They haven't seen him in over a year, and they're not sure what they'll find when they dissect Williams at this week's scouting combine in Indianapolis.

"The key," said San Diego executive vice president and general manager A.J. Smith, "is what kind of shape he's in after a year off. Everyone knows who he is and what he's capable of doing. We just haven't seen it for a year."

Williams disappeared last year when a court ruling denied him admission to the 2004 NFL Draft and sabotaged his eligibility for another collegiate season. So Williams sat while others played, and among the others was Michigan's Braylon Edwards -- widely considered the best wide receiver in this year's draft.

Williams isn't far behind, but NFL types don't know where to place him until seeing him at this week's combine and attending his pro workout, scheduled for March 10 in Tampa. Until then ...

"You're making a leap from last year to looking at someone who's taken a year off," said an AFC player personnel director. "Plus, where does he fit in with this year's class? There's a lot of gray there."

It's not Williams' abilities that pro scouts question. He has sure hands. He has great size. He's physical. He's aggressive. He makes tough catches. He's a monster in the red zone. And he produces big plays.

Study the videotapes of Williams' sophomore season at USC, and you find an impact player who hauled down 95 passes for 1,314 yards and 16 touchdowns. But don't stop there. Keep the footage rolling, and watch Williams run for 26 yards, complete both passes he attempted, block a kick and make a tackle.

"When you go back and review the tape," said Smith, "you see someone who was dominant. He's a legitimate first-round talent."

But this isn't about talent. It's about potential. Specifically, it's about Williams' speed and weight, and what those numbers convey to prospective suitors.

A year ago when Williams thought he was entering the draft he turned up for a pro workout in great shape, only to run a 4.6 40 on a track. That would have pushed him down in last year's draft, and it will push him down again if the time doesn't improve.

I'm not talking about sending him to the bottom of the first round. I'm talking about pushing him to the middle of the round instead of the top 10 where some thought he belonged last year at this time.

"What you want to know is: Has he put on weight? Is he a step slower? Does he still have quickness?" said an NFC scout. "And we're not going to know that until we see him."

It's uncertain if Williams will run at the combine or participate in drills. A list of questions was submitted to his agent, Mitch Frankel, but they were not answered.

However, USC coach Pete Carroll said he believed Williams had been working "very hard" on his speed in workouts in Atlanta and pro scouts would be impressed with what they see.

"He looked like he was in great shape the last time I saw him," said Carroll, "and that was about three weeks ago."

One general manager said he was interested in Williams' physical condition because it would signal "what kind of worker he is." OK, I can buy that. The guy had the year off, and coaches want to see how he improved himself -- if, in fact, he did -- for this year's draft.

They already know what he can do, and they have videotapes of the 2003 season as evidence. What they don't know is what he can do better, which is why speed becomes an issue. If he can't improve on a 4.6 and hasn't controlled his weight, you might be looking at a 6-foot-5 receiver with a future as a tight end or H-back.

"You've got to look at the record," said Carroll. "This is an outstanding player who produces numbers, scores touchdowns and makes plays. He's an unusually gifted athlete."

Now he has to prove it. All over again.

[TomShane]

All Williams has been doing for three months is working on his body and getting his speed together. He has guaranteed that he'll break 4.5 in the 40, and will weigh about 225. IMO, this is next great WR in the NFL--a true physical freak who gets open like few others and catches everything thrown at him. If I had the 1st pick in this draft, I'd really consider using it on him.

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I am willing to bet a lot of $ that Braylon Edwards will be the better of the 2.

[TomShane]

HOW MUCH YOU LITTLE PUNK!??!?!??

j/k Edwards is a freak, but Michigan WR's never start fast in the NFL. We won't know about Edwards for three years, as he'll probably end up on the awful Bears.

I am willing to bet a lot of $ that Braylon Edwards will be the better of the 2.

[Smizzy]

The Vikings will grab him with the Raiders pick.

[bitonti]

last year the common consensus was that MW ran around 4.5 - some had him at 4.45 and others had him at 4.6 - but it was not commonly accepted that he was a 4.6 guy

i would take Mike WIlliams over braylon edwards every single day of the week and twice on sundays.

[TomShane]

My dog.

I love me some Mike Williams. He's a football player.

last year the common consensus was that MW ran around 4.5 - some had him at 4.45 and others had him at 4.6 - but it was not commonly accepted that he was a 4.6 guy

i would take Mike WIlliams over braylon edwards every single day of the week and twice on sundays.

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HOW MUCH YOU LITTLE PUNK!??!?!??

j/k Edwards is a freak, but Michigan WR's never start fast in the NFL. We won't know about Edwards for three years, as he'll probably end up on the awful Bears.

Haha, as long as he doesn't turn our like David Terrell. :wink: