NFL Draft 2019 scouting report: Quinnen Williams is the best player in this draft

Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama

Measurables

6’3”, 303 lbs

Stats

2018: 71 tackles, 8 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss

2017: 20 tackles, 2 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss

Awards

2018 Outland Trophy winner

2018 First Team All-American

2018 First Team All-SEC

2018 Bednarik Award finalist

2018 Bronco Nagurski Award finalist

Strengths

Williams has an impressive combination of size and explosiveness that allows him to wreak havoc on offenses. His cat-like quickness and first step give him an advantage on interior offensive lineman as he can often win matchups before they begin. Despite often being double-teamed, Williams was still a force for the Alabama defense. In run defense, he uses his hands well and has the strength to shed offensive lineman and make tackles in the backfield. While he is a defensive tackle, Williams is arguably the best pass rusher in the 2019 NFL Draft because of the pressure he can create from the interior. He is beloved in the Alabama program and checks all of the boxes off the field.

Weaknesses

Williams is probably the safest prospect in the 2019 NFL Draft because his tape, measurables, and character all stand out. However, the only concern with the redshirt sophomore is that he only has one season of production. The reason for this is that in 2018 as a redshirt freshman, he didn’t see much playing time as he was buried in the depth chart behind future first round pick Da’Ron Payne.

Verdict

Alabama has a history of sending talented defensive lineman to the NFL, but Quinnen Williams is the best of them. He is an absolute game wrecker that checks all of the boxes on and off the field. Williams impacts both the passing and rushing game and should be a three-down player in the NFL with All-Pro potential. Overall, he is the best player in the 2019 NFL Draft and is the closest thing to a “can’t miss” prospect.

Fit With Raiders

If the Silver & Black drafted Williams with the fourth overall pick, he would immediately step in as the best player on their defense. The Raiders pass rush in 2018 was historically bad, but Williams would combine with Maurice Hurst to give defensive coordinator Paul Guenther one of the best defensive tackle duos in the league. Add in P.J. Hall and Jonathan Hankins as rotating pieces, and the Raiders would have a legitimate interior pass rush. While Oakland has a greater need at defensive end, they would still have three more picks in the top-35 to find an edge rusher. If Williams falls to the fourth overall pick, he is too talented a player to pass on as he is the best interior defensive lineman to come out since Aaron Donald.