NFL Draft Round 4 Instant Analysis: Giants Select RB Andre Williams

Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

With the 113th pick in the 2014 NFL draft the New York Giants select… Andre Williams, RB Boston College.

Williams had a historically productive senior year in 2013, rushing for 2,177 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was honored with the Doak Walker Award as college football’s top running back and finished fourth in the Heisman voting.

Standing at 5’11 230 pounds, Williams is built like an Adonis. He’s a patient one-cut runner with fantastic balance — see the hole, hit the hole. He reads openings well and powers through would-be tacklers with a head of steam. He definitely profiles as Giants’ type back, as he’s unafraid to mix it up on interior runs and won’t leave his offensive line out to dry.

Williams benefited from premium quality blocking in Boston College, where his patient style was frequently rewarded with 6-8 yard chunks, even on obvious rush downs. He has a tendency to spin his tires behind the line, requiring a few strides to gather momentum. Better top-end speed than you’d expect (4.50 40 time). Carries for negative yardage were not uncommon when blocking didn’t hold up.

He didn’t catch a single pass out of the backfield last season, and his blocking awareness and technique are in need of refinement.

Check out clips from his 2013 highlight reel below, courtesy of HFX HD on YouTube: