Atlanta Falcons Potential First Round Pick Jonah Williams
Fit with the Atlanta Falcons
Should Jonah Williams be the pick for the Atlanta Falcons at number 14, he would immediately be inserted into a competition with newly resigned Ty Sambrailo at right tackle. Sambrailo was just resigned to a three-year incentive laden contract. The contract is structured in a way that Atlanta can get move on from Ty next offseason, should the club find his long-term replacement. Cutting Sambrailo would only cost the Falcons to incurr two million dollars in dead cap money. In fact, Charles Davis has the Atlanta Falcons drafting Jonah number 14, n his latest mock draft.
The Atlanta Falcons continue to say that they will stick with the zone blocking scheme next season, even though they signed guards Jamon Brown and James Carpenter who are more suited for a power scheme. Though Jonah Williams played in what’s mostly a power scheme in college, he certainly possess the footwork and agility to transition to a zone blocking set up. The fact that he is able to do both would work really well, if the Dirty Birds decide to use a hybrid, combination blocking scheme in the run game. Coincidentally NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein feels that the NFL player that Jonah Williams most resembles is current Atlanta Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews. You can see for yourself by clicking here.
Some NFL. Scouts think that Jonah Williams would best be suited as an interior linemen. Most that feel this way, think he should play guard, but some suggest that he play center. This would not be ideal for Atlanta after signing two guards. However should Williams be drafted and not work out as a tackle due to a lack of length, he certainly has the football IQ to replace Pro Bowl center Alex Mack in the future. If the Atlanta Falcons do choose Jonah Williams I fully expect him to be given every opportunity to play right tackle, before the team would explore converting him to the interior.
Ideally the Atlanta Falcons will address their needs at defensive tackle or pass rusher in round one of the upcoming draft. Yet there is a chance that defensive linemen such as Ed Oliver, Montez Sweat, and Clelin Ferrell will all be off the board when the team selects at 14. Should that be the case, I would not be upset at all if the Falcons would do something that they have rarely done in recent memory. Putting major resources into the offense line to open up more holes on the ground, and most importantly solidify the pass protection for 150 million dollar quarterback Matt Ryan, would certainly be a good thing.