Detroit Lions: 5 prospects that need to be targeted on Draft Day
By Bob Heyrman
The Detroit Lions need to target Marlon Williams midway through the NFL Draft.
Marlon Williams is quickly becoming one of my mid-to-late round draft crushes in the upcoming NFL Draft.
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The UCF product has excelled at the college level, working out of the slot. The 6-foot, 215-pound pass-catcher can certainly work as an outside receiver, but he’d be best utilized as a ‘big-slot’ possession receiver.
Williams totaled 2,260 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns at Central Florida in four seasons. This past year as a senior, Williams saw his most productive season corraling 71 balls totaling 1,039 yards and 10 touchdowns (all single-season highs) despite playing in just eight games (career-low). As you can see, the stars have aligned for Williams at the perfect time as he heads into the NFL Draft.
The Detroit Lions need a new group of pass-catchers. Williams may have a chance to become the Cooper Kupp of the team and perhaps one of quarterback Jared Goff’s more reliable options working the intermediate routes.
A lot of times, NFL teams like a smaller-shifty pass-catcher working out of the slot. Someone who can fire off the line of scrimmage and make those quick catches designed to get the football into the hands of a playmaker and allow them to try and do damage after the catch.
Williams hasn’t shown that type of burst, but he has the size and strength to bully his way off the line of scrimmage and power his way to a first down after making a catch. He’s the definition of a possession receiver. Williams is a decent run blocker, which is very important at the NFL level but extra important in Lion’s OC Anthony Lynn’s run-focused offense.
Most receptions from the slot last season:
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 2, 2021
1. Amari Rodgers, Clemson - 68
2. Marlon Williams, UCF - 67
3. Jaelon Darden, N Texas - 63
4. Elijah Moore, Ole Miss - 61 pic.twitter.com/oRWDSN8liT
It’s a deep receiver class, and someone like Williams, who isn’t the tallest nor the quickest, may just fall through the cracks.
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The Detroit Lions may have an opportunity to select Williams with their fifth-round pick, and he’s worth a look at that draft position.