Bills DT Kyle Williams is never going to be an elite NFL defensive tackle. He just doesn't have the natural ability of Redskins DT Albert Haynesworth or Vikings DT Kevin Williams. The truth is few expected him to develop into an effective No. 2 when the Bills took him in the fifth round of the 2006 draft, but he cracked the starting lineup in Week 6 of his rookie season and now he has started 43 games in a row. In comparison, the Bills picked John McCargo in the first round that same year, but he has yet to start a game for Buffalo and he failed to make a tackle last year. In fact, the Bills tried to trade him to Indianapolis last year, and only a failed physical prevented the deal from going through.
Williams doesn't have elite size, quickness or athletic ability but he's not a stiff, either, and playing his college ball at LSU might have made the transition to the NFL a little less intimidating for him. In addition, he plays with a non-stop motor and is committed to getting better each year. He's a player that makes the most of his natural ability.
Here are three defensive tackles from well-known schools and one small-school prospect that are expected to come off the board on Day 2 of the 2009 draft and could prove to be excellent value picks. I include possible landing spots for all four, as well.
It's important to point out that these players aren't expected to make an immediate impact, like Williams, who significantly exceeded expectations during his rookie season. In addition, they don't all share Williams' particular skill set, so their paths to success and the roles they play will differ in most cases.
Myron Pryor, Kentucky
The 319-pound Pryor admittedly carries too much weight on his 6-foot frame and it causes him to wear down at times, so conditioning is going to be critical to his success. There are also concerns about his ability to hold his ground when teams run at him because he has a tendency to stand up coming out of his stance. However, Pryor is very quick for his size and he shows flashes of excellence on film. If he can commit himself to getting into and staying in shape, he could turn out to be a Day 2 steal.
There's a chance that the Buccaneers might take Mississippi's Peria Jerry in the first round and he too is a good fit for a one-gap scheme, but he weighs 299 pounds and defensive coordinator Jim Bates prefers bigger defensive tackles. In addition, the Buccaneers only have one pick on Day 1. If they decide to fill one of their other pressing needs -- like outside linebacker or offensive tackle -- and then address defensive tackle in the middle-to-late rounds, Pryor makes a great deal of sense. He has the size Bates prefers and the quickness to eventually excel in a one-gap scheme.
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