Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers
By Cory Kinnan
Today the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hosting the best player in the 2019 NFL Draft, Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, on a top-30 visit.
NFL teams must squeeze all of their pre-draft visits in before April 17, and with only eight days left until that date, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers remain a busy team. Today, general manager Jason Licht, head coach Bruce Arians, and the rest of the Buccaneers’ higher ups will be meeting with possibly the number one overall prospect in the 2019 NFL Draft, Quinnen Williams.
Williams has the caliber to be the first overall pick, and there is a real possibility he slips to Tampa Bay at the fifth overall pick in the draft. Given the frenzy expected with the Arizona Cardinals bound to select Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray, then teams trading up to get the next best quarterback, that will push down the better players.
During the 2018 season, Williams recorded 71 total tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, and eight sacks from his defensive tackle position. Due to Williams’ play, he was named an All-American and finished with one Heisman vote as well.
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Measuring in at 6’3 and 303 pounds at the combine last month, Williams ran a blazing 4.83 seconds, incredibly impressive for a man of his stature. He also hit 30 inches on his vertical jump and over 9 feet on his broad jump. These were the only tests that Williams completed as his 40 time was enough to solidify his stock as the best interior defensive lineman in the class.
With rumors that the days of Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy could be numbered, Williams would be the absolute ideal fit as his replacement and has the natural talent to be a day-one starter for the Buccaneers. Williams would fit into defensive coordinator Todd Bowles’ 3-4 scheme as an interior defensive end, and would play tackle on 4-3 packages.
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Williams falling to the fifth pick in the draft would be the dream scenario for the Buccaneers, and if he is there then no offer on the table is worthy of trading back for. As Williams comes to Tampa Bay to visit today, there is a real chance he could be here to stay in less than three weeks.