Receiver Mike Williams out of Clemson was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers with the No. 7 overall pick in this year’s draft. The redshirt junior is one of the consensus top receivers in this year’s class. Fresh off a national championship, the world has seen what Williams is capable of on the field. At 6’4, he has the size and talent to follow in the footsteps as fellow Tiger alums DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins as an elite NFL receiver.
Is this a good fantasy football fit?
Chargers’ receivers have had trouble staying healthy for Philip Rivers, so they added the big bodied receiver from Clemson to give their quarterback another prolific option. Williams and Keenan Allen will form an exciting and productive duo on the perimeter. This selection will give Rivers a big body to target in the red zone and should open things up more for Allen. Melvin Gordon will also benefit from this pick. All-in-all, this is very good for all fantasy-related players on the Chargers.
Williams’ Combine Analysis
Williams did not participate in many combine activities this year. He only appeared in three tests being the bench press, vertical jump and broad jump. The latter two allowed Williams to show off his leaping ability which paired with his great size will allow him to get up and grab the ball over defenders at the ball’s highest point. His combine scores list him as an instant NFL starter, which is exactly what we expect him to be in his rookie year.
How good was Williams in college?
Mike Williams was the 201st ranked recruit of the 2013 class coming into Clemson. He was the 23rd ranked receiver in the class who was deciding between Clemson and South Carolina. Williams found himself in a crowded receiving core his freshman which really limited his production. Being behind NFL players Sammy Watkins (BUF), Martavis Bryant (PIT), and Adam Humphries (TB) on the depth chart is reasonable for such low numbers in a rookie campaign. Come sophomore year Williams stepped his game up with 57 receptions for 1,030 yards and 6 touchdowns. He firmly put himself on the map, before a scary injury his junior year. Williams fractured a bone in his neck on the team’s first offensive drive of the season. He scored a touchdown on the play but collided with the goalpost which caused the injury.
Williams came back stronger for his red-shirt junior year en route to a national championship. He went for 98 receptions for 1,361 yards and 11 touchdowns. Insane receiver numbers from such a talented guy. Williams had an amazing game in the National Championship against Alabama, including this absurd catch on the game winning drive.
