Avery

Williams

Williams, Atlanta’s primary kick returner, injured his knee in OTAs and will probably miss the entire season, according to head coach Arthur Smith. Williams in 2022 had 22 rushes for 109 yards and a touchdown. He handled 34 punt and kick returns. The Falcons will need to find another returner for this season -- perhaps Cordarrelle Patterson.

Williams managed two yards on two carries before leaving Week 1’s game against New Orleans with the rib issue. His absence could open up snaps and touches for Avery Williams or Tyler Allgeier, who was inactive for Week 1. Cordarrelle Patterson remains the only fantasy-relevant Atlanta running back. He should see a hefty workload this week against the Rams.

A fifth-round pick last year, Williams was an explosive special teams player at Boise State, returning six punts and three kickoffs for touchdowns. At 187 pounds, he’s a bit undersized for a traditional running back but could add weight to accommodate the switch. Last year, Williams blazed a 4.41 40-yard dash at Boise State’s pro day but will face stiff backfield competition from rookie Tyler Allgeier and veteran running backs Damien Williams and Cordarrelle Patterson. We doubt Williams makes any impact at the position.

Williams (5'8/187) will be one of the smallest cornerbacks in the league. Most cornerbacks Williams’ size get by with a sharp, savvy play-style rather than using their athletic tools, which is exactly the case here. Williams, a four-year starter, has lightning-fast feet and good eyes, which allows him to constantly stay one step ahead when operating in zone or off-man coverage. In turn, Williams is often at his best coming downhill or operating in the underneath area. When asked to turn and run, Williams shows fine deep speed (4.41) but is often bullied out at the top of route breaks and down the field at the catch point. Williams is more than likely going used as a backup nickel and special teamer in Atalanta. The Falcons’ lack of depth in the secondary could push Williams into a minor role on defense early in his career.

Due to a ruling this season that allows players to retain a year of eligibility because of the COVID-restricted season, Williams could have returned to Boise. Alas, the defense’s star cornerback will test his might at the NFL. Though a decent CB prospect at 5-foot-9 and 195-pounds, Williams’ real claim to fame will be his special teams ability. Williams is an incredible returner with dangerous speed and vision. Over his four years of play at Boise, Williams returned nine touchdowns -- six on punts, three on kickoffs. Naturally, he earned a number of MWC special teams awards over the years as well. Expect Williams to be a late Day 3 or priority UDFA player.

“He’s one of those guys that had an opportunity to come here and get his shot and he’s taken advantage of it,” Harsin said of Williams’ work this offseason. The 5-foot-9, 197-pounder, a walk-on in 2016, saw time at corner, nickel, running back and punt return during spring practice. He intercepted a pass during the Broncos’ spring game and the Idaho Statesman’s Dave Southorn notes that Williams was “a ball hawk throughout the team’s practices.”