New England Patriots 2020 NFL Draft: Darryl Williams a good mid-round target
The New England Patriots are in need of a backup center and here is a player in the 2020 NFL Draft they should target.
The New England Patriots need to draft or otherwise secure a center before the 2020 season begins. Rumors abound about who they will draft next month as mock drafts flood the internet. And who doesn’t like mock drafts?
Who cares if none of the mocked players are ever selected by the teams to which they were mocked. Well almost none. It’s a fun exercise and enterprising people have built a career out of it. But, back to the Patriots’ need for a center.
The Patriots lost their outstanding starting center David Andrews to a medical issue last season. Undrafted, Andrews has been a mainstay for the Patriots at a key position on the offensive line since 2015, calling signals and leading. Everyone is rooting for David to be fully fit and ready to return to action for the 2020 season.
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In addition, the Patriots also lost their top backup at both center and guard when Ted Karras left in free agency. Karras’ defection leaves the Patriots’ depth woefully thin at two interior offensive line positions. It is imperative to fill those holes.
Darryl Williams, a mid-round answer?
So who might be available in a middle round (4th or 5th possibly, they have one pick in each at present) should they decide to spring for a center in the draft? One possibility is a center from Mississippi State, Darryl Williams. NFL.com has him listed at 6’2″ and 304 pounds. Though on the small side for a modern inside player, he has traits that New England would seem to value.
"Team captain and three-year starter who is short on traits and athleticism but plays with savvy and determination … He has center/guard roster flexibility and could compete for a backup role."
Cesar Ruiz of Michigan is a starting caliber hybrid center/guard and he’d be a better alternative. Yet, absent investing a higher draft pick to select him, Williams would at least provide the Patriots with the versatility of a player like Karras, at very possibly a reasonable draft cost. That versatility is a trait that is looked upon highly by New England. Very highly.
New England also likes players who have captained their college teams and as NFL.com noted, he has that on his resume, plus the positive of, as they put it, he “plays with savvy and determination”. Who doesn’t like that?
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With a clear need for backup(s) at both center and guard as we approach the 2020 draft, Darryl Williams is a lower cost alternative who just might fit the bill for the New England Patriots.