2019 Raiders Draft Prospect Profile
Name: Dexter Williams
Position: RB
School: Notre Dame
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 215 pounds
Round Projection: 2-3
Stats
Run Style
During his four years in South Bend, Williams learned patience on the field and off. Sitting behind Josh Adams and CJ Prosise,Williams needed his senior year to actually display his talents. As a result, this trait translates. Before he bolts downfield, Williams eyes his blocks and hits the hole with abandon. You will not see him running up the leg of linemen, except on the goal line. With the ball, Williams is electric. Meanwhile,Williams also shows decent power while running between the tackles. Many of his big runs start on the interior.
Agility
Despite his athletic gifts, Williams does not use exaggerated quicks. That is to say, he will not widen out a jump cut or execute a long spin move to evade a tackler. However, his moves are sudden, slight change of direction. More importantly, he does lose any speed during them.
Speed
If Williams speed carries to the next level, some lucky team will employ a breakaway back with low carries. From the jump, Williams explodes with that ball. Moreover, when he gets by the line of scrimmage, he possesses the burst to leave everyone behind. With Williams, his gait and stride look effortless. In addition, he gets up to top speed in a hurry.
Hands
If a need for rapid improvement exists, Williams needs to see more passes thrown his way. Right now, he profiles as a two-down back that should not see the field in passing situations. With proper technique and reps, Williams can develop into a functional receiver.
Red Flags
This summer, Williams and teammates were arrested for marijuana and unlicensed firearm possession. While this remains the only blemish on his career at Notre Dame, it still needs notation. Whether he likes it or not, this could see him slide down the draft boards.
Motivation
While not football related, it speaks to Williams’ mindset. His mother has a terminal case of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Doctors gave her three to five years to live. When Williams hits the field, she stays with him. Despite his run-in with the law, he appears focus on making her time remaining comfortable.
Raiders Fit
With the Raiders, how Williams fits depends on how the team views Chris Warren. Regardless, he would supplant DeAndre Washington, at least. If the team believes in a Warren/Richard combo, Williams could see snaps as the primary backup. If the Raiders were not sold on either Warren or Richard, Williams would give them a touchdown-waiting-to-happen back. In either case, the team needs to consider drafting him.
