Prospect Profile: Cameron Williams, OT, Texas

Protecting the Passer

Against most competition, he has efficient footwork and moves sufficiently quickly in his kickslide to maintain the half-man relationship. His hand usage is good, he times his strike well whether using independent hands or a two-handed strike. His hand placement can be a little off the mark but he has a big margin for error due to his length and relative power to most guys that he faces. He also has some explosive power to him which he can uncoil when he intersects the edge rusher with good timing and good footwork beforehand to manoeuvre into position. He’s a solid processor and sees stunts and games coming quickly, working well in combination with the rest of the Offensive Line. Things start to unravel when he faces better competition with excellent speed and athleticism off the edge, or power rushers who have a good rush plan and are able to set him up effectively to challenge him through his chest. When facing heavier-footed defenders he plays more within himself, doesn’t go chasing defenders and his feet are more efficient. When he feels threatened upfield by elite speed, he abandons some of his technique. He will waist-bend in shorter sets and over-balance, and he will lose his normally solid footwork. Athletic rushers like this can work an inside move against him that’s well set up and turn to a variety of outside rushes that will put him in trouble. The most effective of these is a violent cross-chop combined with good cornering which can lead him to give up immediate pressure on the QB. The cross-chop works because he will often resort to just using his outside strike when he’s under pressure, this technique, while effective as his go-to strategy, cannot be the only thing he uses to neutralize more savvy rushers, who know the hand is coming and can take advantage of it. These athletic defenders who have length can also work an effective long-arm move against him, which challenges the other big deficiency in his game; his anchor. He has a good anchor when facing power moves and he can get latched on a defender early in the rep, but when he’s in a vertical set, and the defender has a two-way go, he can’t win initially. When this happens he’s unable to effectively reset his feet and re-anchor. He also doesn’t always re-fit his hands quickly when those DL with good hand usage can negate his initial punch.

Run Blocking

On the move: His lack of elite athleticism hurts him when he’s space blocking as he struggles to locate and therefore position for blocks where he has to move laterally or display reactive athleticism. When he’s got an angle on a blocker and can run in a straight line to make the block, he will make blocks more functional. This can more frequently be the case on double teams where he works well in combination as a teammate, giving good pop at the line of scrimmage before moving up to a LB who hasn’t read his keys and anticipated the block. On Reach blocks, against adequate run defenders, he can seal the outside shoulder of heads up defenders or get enough movement to open the Bang read on Outside Zone. More effective run defenders with good play strength can set the edge against him and tackle the runner in both gaps.
Run blocking the big dude across from you: He is heavy set, thick in the upper body with some explosive power to him and this shows up in a big way on Gap runs. He has less distance to travel to position and he fits and finishes well so he can make Drive blocks and Down blocks especially effective. He’s got some competitive nasty to him and he will carry on blocking way downfield.

DRAFTED RAVEN COMP
Alex Lewis

PRODUCTION
JR: 973 snaps at RT
SO: 125 snaps at RT
INJURY HISTORY: JR: Missed one game with right knee strain

RAVENS FIT
Expl. Athleticism 2
Ftbl Intelligence 3
Vrsatility 3
Grit 4
Scheme 3