Isaiah Williams NFL Draft Scouting Report

Size:

Height: 5’10” | Weight: 180 lbs

Accomplishments:

Team captain (2022) • Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (2022) • 4-star recruit

“A former quarterback turned wide receiver in 2021, Isaiah Williams has succeeded in the opportunities he’s gotten thanks to a high football IQ and solid route-running.”

Strengths:

• Great hands that can secure the ball away from his body
• Good route-runner
• High football IQ
• Speed makes him dangerous after the catch

Concerns:

• Slight stature could mean he’s a slot-only receiver
• Basic route tree at Illinois
• Relatively new to the position

In-play Film Analysis: 

Isaiah Williams began his collegiate career as a quarterback, starting four games in 2020 under center before making the transition to wide receiver for the 2021 season. Despite the recent transition to the position, there’s a lot to like about what Williams has to offer. 

Williams has good hands that give him the confidence to extend his catch radius outside of his body and allow him to haul in overthrows or balls that may be difficult to catch. He’s also a good route-runner for a newcomer to the position. Williams is consistently able to keep his hips low in and out of breaks and has good footwork to pair with it, allowing him to separate easily against man coverage. Those skills have also given him a particularly strong “whip” route that allows him to gain instant separation.

Against zone, due in part to his background as a quarterback, Williams has a strong understanding of the soft spots in coverage and is able to manipulate those spots to get open for his quarterback. Williams also brings quick twitch and good speed to his game, and the Illini utilized it by getting the ball in his hands on screen passes and jet sweeps, letting him create after the catch. On top of his skills as a pass-catcher, Williams is a willing blocker from the slot, even against bigger linebackers.

Williams’ main concerns lie primarily in things involving his natural physical profile. He’s not a big receiver at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds. That smaller stature might limit him to being a slot-only guy, which won’t make him a fit for every team. His recent switch to the position also seems to have limited his route tree over his first couple of seasons as a receiver. There weren’t many routes on tape that weren’t basic outs, slants, or screens, with the occasional whip route being an exception. However, there are clearly some good tools to work with. If Williams gets some extra development as a receiver and packs on a little more weight, he has the potential to raise his draft stock into Day 2.

Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Developmental Traits 

Written By: Jack McKessy

Last Updated: June 7, 2023

Exposures: Minnesota (2022), Chattanooga (2022), Wyoming (2022)

Isaiah Williams’ NFL Draft Scouting Report will be updated by Draft Network throughout the season. Add him to your big board here.