Overview
Williams was a tad more consistent in 2022 while at Fresno State, but he was also put in better position to succeed. He is broad-hipped with limited agility and athleticism to align too far away from the line of scrimmage. He’s a box safety with a good feel for finding entry points and making tackles near the line. He can match up underneath and is average in zone but will allow too many big plays against NFL wideouts. He has a chance to impress on special teams but inconsistent open-field tackling could hurt his chances of becoming a viable backup strong safety.

Strengths

• Plays with the mindset of a linebacker and good stopping power.
• Knows where entry points are located as a run defender in the box.
• Rushes downhill to make hits on pass catchers.
• Does a nice job of closing out crossing routes from high safety.
• Rough-and-tumble play demeanor fits special teams mold.

Weaknesses

• Frame looks less athletic and more broad and burly.
• Will struggle against run and pass when aligned in big space.
• Below-average anticipation to the route in man coverage.
• Lacks long speed to close the distance over the top.
• Missing reactive athleticism to keep missed tackle total from piling up.

From the description, it sounds like he's an athletic LB more than a Safety

I would have preferred Four Roses or Wild Turkey, but I'm not complaining.

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Per McGinn

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'Meat-and-Potatoes leader:' What the scouts say about the Green Bay Packers' Day 3 picks
Brian Gutekunst has a young, promising roster aiming to contend in 2024. Did the Packers find another Day 3 gem? Here's what the scouts told Bob McGinn.

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By Bob McGinn
Here is what personnel people told me before the NFL draft about the Green Bay Packers’ six selections in the final four rounds Saturday.

The scouting reports from Rounds 1 through 3 are right here, icymi.

Is there another prospect you want to know more about? Email Go Long at golongtd@gmail.com.

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EVAN WILLIAMS, S, OREGON
Rd. 4/Pk. 111.

Height: 5-11.

Weight: 206.

40: 4.59.

Hometown: Campbell, Calif.

Fact/Stat: Eighth safety drafted. His 40 ½-inch vertical jump tied for second best among the top 20 safeties. His hand size (10 1/8 inches) tied for the largest. Started 32 of 39 games at Fresno State from 2019-’22 before making 13 starts for the Ducks in 2023. Four interceptions in career.

NFC scout: “Not a big fan of him. Late draft pick probably. Good feet but better closer to the line of scrimmage. Quicker than fast. Doesn’t react well in space. Just OK in man coverage. Aggressive run defender. He’s a guy you develop as a backup safety and special teamer.”

AFC scout: “Average athlete but a good tackler. He was a solid player at Fresno who transferred up to Oregon to get more exposure and play better comp. He’s a good meat-and-potatoes leader. Good intangibles. Not very fast, not a lot of coverage skills. Probably a special teams-back end (of the roster) safety.”

AFC scout: “I didn’t care for him.”

NFC scout: “He’s inconsistent matching quickness at the top of the route and falls out of phase. Lacks a true second gear to recover. Marginal strength to take on and defeat blocks in the box. Marginal overall tackler. Core special-teamer in his career. Adequate speed on cover teams. Highly intelligent and personable kid. Face of the program type (at Fresno State) with a mature and level-headed demeanor. Plays with passion and intensity. Rallies to the football on every snap. Excellent worker with energy day in and day out.”

If I had a nickel for every time Green Bay has drafted someone whose father was on the field for the University of California during
"The Play" between Cal and Stanford, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.

Even as S3, Williams is an upgrade in the safety room. Oladapo may pass him on the depth chart but with his injured foot, he needs time to heal before he takes anyone's place.
Williams is another guy who they can put on ST and watch him fly around making plays. Improve safety depth. Improve ST is a win-win.

Mucky Tundra;464139

If I had a nickel for every time Green Bay has drafted someone whose father was on the field for the University of California during
"The Play" between Cal and Stanford, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.

I remember watching replays of The Play with disbelief. It feels like it was too long ago for it to be their dads, it should be their granddads that were there for The Play.
It was 1982. I got married earlier that year. I am probably 2-5 years older than the kids that were on the field.