Advertisement

2015 NFL Rookie Predictions: Maxx Williams has All-Pro promise

2015 NFL Rookie Predictions: Maxx Williams has All-Pro promise

Poked, prodded, pricked -- pro prospects have been thoroughly examined by franchises leading up to this month's NFL Draft. However, fantasy owners are just now dissecting their Year 1 potential. Over the next several weeks, we'll attempt to channel our inner Mayock determining whether Rookie X will be fantasy flame or lame material this fall. Monday's profile: Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams.

College Highlights: The Mackey Award finalist and second team All-American arguably owns the most long-term upside of any tight end in this year's class. In 25 career games with Minnesota he grabbed 61 passes for 986 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 16.2 yards per catch. His eight receiving TDs as a sophomore were the most ever by a Golden Gopher tight end in a single season. Was Academic All-Big Ten in 2012.

Pluses: Williams was a combine wonder setting the pace at his position in the 40-yard dash (4.78), shuttle run, broad jump and vertical jump. He is by no means a blazer, but accelerates to top speed quickly. Combine that with his 6-foot-4 length and wide catch radius and he's an imposing target to contain inside the red zone and on seam outs across the middle. Excelled after the catch, particularly on designed screens. When the ball is in his hands, he lowers pad level and drives through contact. In general, he's fluid, shifty, athletic and blessed with large, soft hands. His outward appearance and outstanding playmaking ability explain why many scouts believe he's a future All-Pro. The son of a coach, he has high football aptitude.

Minuses: Despite weighing in at 250 pounds, Williams needs to add muscle and strength to decisively win one-on-one matchups at the next level. Though he showed improvement as a route runner from his freshman-to-sophomore years, he's still relatively unpolished. Without exceptional speed and wiggle off-the-line cleverness will be key to gain separation. Blocking remains a work in progress. Snap count will be limited until coaches trust his execution in the ground game.

Pro Comp(s): Jason Witten, Heath Miller, Dwayne Allen

Team Fits: Cleveland, Buffalo, New Orleans, Baltimore, Atlanta

Projected ADP/Auction Value ($200 cap): 200+/$1-$3

Fearless Forecast: It won't be long before fantasy owners want to hang at The Maxx. Still, history is typically unkind to first-year tight ends. Highly publicized youngsters Jace Amaro and Eric Ebron, for example, barely moved the meter last year. Additionally, Antonio Gates, Jimmy Graham and Greg Olsen were minimal contributors in their inaugural campaigns. Really only Rob Gronkowski, who made a splash in 2010 with 10 TDs, was the rare rookie tight end to accumulate TE1 numbers out the gate. Keep in mind no rookie tight end has surpassed 900 yards in a season and only two since 2000 (Gronk and Aaron Hernandez) have eclipsed five scores in a season. Williams owns tremendous ball skills, but his somewhat svelte build and questionable blocking elongates the learning curve. He's a highly recommended investment for dynasty owners, but expect his maiden NFL voyage to be filled with more more valleys than peaks.

Want to bull rush Brad? Follow him on Twitter @YahooNoise