Denver Broncos: Revisiting Draft Pick Dave Williams
As the regular season approaches, we wanted to take an individual look at each of the Denver Broncos 2017 Draft Choices and how they’ve performed in camp.
With the 226th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos selected Arkansas running back Dave Williams. How has Williams performed in preseason and camp?
Fantastic. In fact, Williams has done well enough that he is generally counted among the five backs Denver will likely retain.
The crazy train that is the Broncos backfield might be on the verge of bouncing 2016 prize Devontae Booker from the roster. We mentioned earlier that Broncos coach Vance Joseph’s declaration that Booker was still the Broncos starter at the position may just be smoke to bolster a trade position or provide motivation in a crowded, close running back stable.
Williams, at 6’1″ and 230 pounds is physically similar to fellow pick Royce Freeman, if the Broncos decided to keep Williams, the backfield might look like this:
Royce Freeman
Dave Williams
That list conspicuously excludes Booker, who could be facing the dreaded roster bubble in his third season out of Utah. Unlike other Broncos draft picks we’ve profiled, running backs, particularly those of Booker’s (or Williams’ if Denver goes that way) quality won’t survive waivers. So if Denver makes the choice to go with four at running back, they will be faced with the tough decision to part ways with a player that has the potential to be impactful.
Williams has earned praise for his straight-up style and the more punishing Denver can be in the run game, the more it will open up the offense. For what it’s worth, as much as we like Devontae Booker, Denver shouldn’t pass on Williams’ potential.
Next. Bradley Chubb. dark
If Denver’s seventh-round pick makes the 53-man roster, it will close the book on what’s shaping up to be the Broncos best draft in a generation.