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ESPN NFL Draft insider Mel Kiper Jr. issued his latest Big Board for the 2019 draft. Kiper has been consistent with his belief that Ohio State Buckeyes star Nick Bosa will be the front-runner for the No. 1 pick. But while Bosa appears to have the inside track for now, there is one player on a top SEC defense that could be emerging as a potential challenger.
According to Kiper, the one player who is surging up draft boards is Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Quinnen Williams.
“We thought Raekwon Davis would be the dominator (for Alabama), moving in for Da’Ron Payne and of course we had Jonathan Allen a couple years ago, but Williams is closer to Aaron Donald than I think Ed Oliver is,” Kiper said while revealing his rankings on SportsCenter, via 247 Sports. “He’s a third-year sophomore. I think Oliver from Houston was expected to be that (Aaron Donald) guy, but he’s not as big as Williams and of course he had the injury and doesn’t have the sack production Williams already has had with five. He could have eight or nine.
“Williams has been killing double teams. He’s a big effort guy. Great hand usage. He combines power with quickness. Quinnen Williams, the nose tackle for Alabama, has done a heck of a job and has really been the difference-maker up front for the Crimson Tide.”
This season, Williams is third on the team with five sacks on nine quarterback hurries. Most recently against LSU in a 29-0 win, Williams had 10 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 3.5 tackles for a loss.
As for whether he can continue to excel and land at the top of the draft boards, we will have to wait and see. He will likely have the benefit of playing with all eyes on him once again in the College Football Playoff.
You can view Mel Kiper’s full Big Board here.
