Darryl

Williams

The team also waived offensive lineman Nick Ford. Williams signed with the Chiefs as a UDFA in 2020. He has bounced around practice squads since then but has yet to make an appearance in a game.

Williams played center for the Bulldogs in 2019, but he was a guard for Mississippi State in the 2017 and 2018 campaigns. NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein cited that versatility as a reason that he could compete for a backup role at the NFL level. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound lineman will now get a chance to show he can do that this summer/fall.

Williams (6’2/304) was a captain and three-year starter at Mississippi State who played both guard and center in college. His football career nearly ended after a freshman-year neck injury left him temporarily paralyzed, but he’s been medically cleared and started 38 games since. He is a short and powerful downhill player with the competitiveness to stick on an NFL roster as a versatile backup, but he graded out as a below-average pass blocker in his lone season at center. In Indianapolis, Williams showcased 44th percentile Adjusted SPARQ athleticism with 5.23 speed and 23 bench press reps.

Williams (6'3/310) played center for the Bulldogs in 2019, but was a guard for Mississippi State in both 2017 and 2018. Zierlein notes his “intelligent” approach to the game, and does a good job locating his second block at the next level on combos. He does have some concern about his size, however, and he believes his bend and athletic ability are below-average. “He has center/guard roster flexibility,” Zierlein writes in his overview, “and could compete for a backup role.”

Williams (6'3/310) appeared in each of Mississippi State’s 13 games, including the team’s loss to Louisville in the Music City Bowl after he appeared to injure his right leg during pregame drills. As a junior he was one of the best offensive in the SEC, and he was a preseason All-American selection entering the 2019 season. This was his first season starting at center, with Williams being used as left guard in 2017 and 2018 with Elgton Jennings still in the fold.

Williams (6'3/310) reportedly got his foot caught in the ground in an awkward position and ended up tweaking his right knee. About a month ago, Williams also left the field during the game versus Ole Miss with a leg injury, though it’s no certainty that the previous injury played a part in this one. Stay tuned as Williams’ playing status is monitored.

Williams (6'2/310) was unable to put any pressure on right leg as he departed the field. If Williams isn’t able to go in the team’s upcoming bowl game it would either be Dareuan Parker or Evans Wilkerson getting the starting nod at center.

Williams (6'2/310), the Bulldogs’ starting center, is one of three Mississippi State offensive linemen who are considered to be day-to-day due to lower body injuries suffered in the season opener. Dareuan Parker and Evans Wilkerson, who replaced Williams in the lineup, are the other two. Mississippi State, which does have some depth up front, hosts Southern Miss Saturday afternoon.

Williams (6'2/310) is one of two Bulldog linemen who have been ruled out for the remainder of the team’s season opener due to injury, with Dareuan Parker being the other. Mississippi State is deep up front but Williams, one of the team’s captains, is a key leader for this group. Senior Evans Wilkerson has replaced Williams in the lineup.

Williams (6'2/310) worked as a 12-game starter at left guard this past season, but as the campaign began to draw to a close, the Bulldogs started coaching him up at center with an eye toward 2019. He is expected to start at his new position this fall. Keep an eye on Williams for draft purposes. Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller ranks the redshirt senior as the No. 4 draft-eligible center on his too-early 2020 big board.