Steelers take close look at Alabama’s Tim Williams with private workout

[Shawn]

Yeah...could just be due diligence. I can't see any way in the world that we use our first or even second round pick on a guy with multiple off-field red flags and who wasn't even a well-rounded enough player to even start on his college team. They could see him falling in the draft and therefore determining at what point it might be worth it to add a guy who might only ever be a situational pass rusher. When Martavis fell to round 4, they felt it was a worthy gamble at that point. They may be looking to see where the "worthy gamble" cutoff line would be for this talented moron.

I honestly believe he will go in the third and maybe the Steelers are willing to roll the dice on him with their second third rounder.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

I honestly believe he will go in the third and maybe the Steelers are willing to roll the dice on him with their second third rounder.

That was my thought, as well. i could see them taking a stab at the end of the second.

Doesn't seem like their kind of pick in the first AT ALL. They're conservative, if anything, particularly with "bust risk".

I know, I know, say what you want, but, with Jarvis, but, his college sack stats against THAT conference would've indicated low likelihood to bust, even with "average" speed. Moreover, he's an NFL quality player, just nothing special - every one of 'em can't be Von Miller. It's not like a Zo Jackson.

But, I digress. Williams has too much risk to be their 1st rounder. I don't see it. Zero chance they go there.

[Sword]

Throw people off the scent of who we REALLY want? Or say he falls due to his negatives we might know at what point we might have an interest

You know, I really really wish that is what they are doing... if not, we have failed management... I want no part of players with these issues,,,,,,,

[Shawn]

You know, I really really wish that is what they are doing... if not, we have failed management... I want no part of players with these issues,,,,,,,

I wouldn't take a no draft policy. Personally, I wouldn't use a first rounder on a guy with recent substance abuse issues. I would however spend a less than premium pick on a superb talent who has done the work to get better and has a paper trail of drug screens to prove his sobriety.

[feltdizz]

You know, I really really wish that is what they are doing... if not, we have failed management... I want no part of players with these issues,,,,,,,

Hmm... I think a lot of players have issues, especially on defense. I would have no problem with him in the 3rd round.

[Real Deal Steel]

I'm really looking forward to us really doing some great things with our two 3rd round picks. I'm thinking optimistically that we can get at least 3 starters out of the fist 4 picks.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Multiple failed drug tests at Alabama ... not sure I'd want to spend even a third-rounder on Williams. If I was the one making draft decisions, he'd have to present me with exhaustive proof that he's been clean for months, and an extremely convincing case that he will remain clean.

He's of no help to the team if he's suspended.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Steelers visiting with Tim Williams, who has his own off-field concerns
Posted by Darin Gantt on April 11, 2017, 12:11 PM EDT

While he hasn’t gotten the attention of a Joe Mixon, Alabama outside linebacker Tim Williams also presents a bit of a quandary for NFL teams this spring, as they try to weigh obvious production against the uncertainty created by off-field issues.

But while Mixon has become the face of the topic this year because of the video of him punching a woman in the face, Williams has his own baggage which teams have to consider. “All” he did was fail multiple drug tests while in college, along with a gun charge last year, so he’s not widely considered as radioactive in some corners as Mixon might be.

According to Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Williams is visiting with the Steelers today as they try to gauge the risk vs. reward.

If you can isolate the football, he seems a good fit there, a pure pass-rusher who had nine sacks and 16 tackles for loss last year. But he knows when he meets with teams, that’s not the main topic.

“I’m a young player. I made decisions that I grew from,” Williams said at the Scouting Combine. “It’s all about being a man, owning up to your situations, owning up to your mistakes. I’m not here laughing around joking. I know I’ve got something to prove. I’m obviously behind the 8-ball so I’m here to prove not only to myself but to every organization that if they take me, they’re going to get the best player here.”

There are other concerns about Williams, including how good a run defender he can be. But there comes a point when talent makes teams forget.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/04/11/steelers-visiting-with-tim-williams-who-has-his-own-off-field-concerns/

[NorthCoast]

In this case words mean squat. I'm in the "pass" camp. Too much risk for uncertain reward . Then again, maybe the Steelers are putting together a 'Stoners' squad along w practice?

[feltdizz]

Will he shoot at a helicopter or 2 before training camp?

[RuthlessBurgher]

.

Here's where I'd put Tim Williams with relation to other potential early round linebackers.

Among the edge rushers, I expect the following to be long gone before we pick at #30:
Myles Garrett
Solomon Thomas
Derek Barnett
Taco Charlton

Among the edge rushers, our front office might be interested in the following guys if available at #30:
Takk McKinley
Charles Harris
T.J. Watt
Carl Lawson

Among the edge rushers, our front might be interested in the following guys if available at #62:
Jordan Willis
Derek Rivers
Tyus Bowser
Tarrell Basham

Among the linebackers who likely would project inside in our 3-4, our front office might be interested in the following guys if available at #30:
Reuben Foster
Haason Reddick
Zach Cunningham
Jarrad Davis

Among the linebackers who likely would project inside in our 3-4, our front office might be interested in the following guys if available at #62:
Raekwon McMillan
Duke Riley

I would not consider selecting Tim Williams in this draft until every one of those names listed above are off the board.

In fact, I would also prefer Williams' Bama teammate Ryan Anderson to him as well. Although Anderson is not nearly the athlete Williams is, Anderson is a very disciplined, professional football player with a high football IQ...essentially everything Williams is not...if you could somehow merge those two Bama OLB's into one player, he would be an absolute beast. But as it stands right now, Williams would be my #20 LB overall...behind all of these guys.

[Shawn]

.

Here's where I'd put Tim Williams with relation to other potential early round linebackers.

Among the edge rushers, I expect the following to be long gone before we pick at #30:
Myles Garrett
Solomon Thomas
Derek Barnett
Taco Charlton

Among the edge rushers, our front office might be interested in the following guys if available at #30:
Takk McKinley
Charles Harris
T.J. Watt
Carl Lawson

Among the edge rushers, our front might be interested in the following guys if available at #62:
Jordan Willis
Derek Rivers
Tyus Bowser
Tarrell Basham

Among the linebackers who likely would project inside in our 3-4, our front office might be interested in the following guys if available at #30:
Reuben Foster
Haason Reddick
Zach Cunningham
Jarrad Davis

Among the linebackers who likely would project inside in our 3-4, our front office might be interested in the following guys if available at #62:
Raekwon McMillan
Duke Riley

I would not consider selecting Tim Williams in this draft until every one of those names listed above are off the board.

In fact, I would also prefer Williams' Bama teammate Ryan Anderson to him as well. Although Anderson is not nearly the athlete Williams is, Anderson is a very disciplined, professional football player with a high football IQ...essentially everything Williams is not...if you could somehow merge those two Bama OLB's into one player, he would be an absolute beast. But as it stands right now, Williams would be my #20 LB overall...behind all of these guys.

I would agree with that assessment. Williams is a limited player with many red flags. I say pass unless its late.

[Sugar]

In this case words mean squat. I'm in the "pass" camp. Too much risk for uncertain reward . Then again, maybe the Steelers are putting together a 'Stoners' squad along w practice?

Yeah, I'm sure he's been well coached by his agent.

[Iron City Inc.]

Lots of good points made about this rush end and where if anywhere he should be drafted. Would believe if draft fell and that we grabbed a few db's early perhaps a rb and perhaps a TE and it's say round 4 and this red flag rook is still around they may think it over. Bottom line where the tipping point is ,issues vs talent, is the unknown but at least their doing their checks.
I sure wish we would bring in more db's for visits.