2015 NFL Free Agency Preview: Top 5 Cornerbacks
Dec 14, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Robert Woods (10) is unable to make a catch defended by Green Bay Packers cornerback Tramon Williams (38) during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
4. Tramon Williams
Pros: exceptional pro corner who possesses a wide variety of skills and has long experience. Tramon Williams has quietly been one of the league’s better corners over the last six seasons, amassing 28 picks and a Pro Bowl appearance to go along with a Super Bowl ring in Green Bay. He has good speed and top-tier ball skills and plays with a high football IQ.
Cons: Williams never had elite speed and he’s turning 32 later this month, which leads to concerns about his ability to run with NFL wideouts going forward. He’s also not particularly big at 5’11” and roughly 190 pounds, and is not equipped to be a predominantly press corner.
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Scheme Fit: Williams may be a poor fit for the Raiders defense. He isn’t really big or fast enough to play press-bail and run deep with wide receivers and he’s not a prototypical cover corner. He does his best work playing off and in zone, but he’s a very skilled conerback who won’t get fooled. May be a better fit for a safety at his age, and that role is taken for the Raiders.
Market Value: Williams turned down a two year, $8M deal from the Packers just the other day, so perhaps he and his agent think he has greater value. But at his age, with the lack of a standout physical asset for his position, he may have to accept reality soon. Don’t look for him to do much better than two years, maybe $9M.
Would he sign with the Raiders: maybe. Like every Packer who has any tenure on the team, Williams is very familiar with Reggie McKenzie, and vice versa. McKenzie knows Williams well, since he was in charge of scouting and drafting and re-signing him in Green Bay. But he’s not a great scheme fit, and he seems to want more money than he’s probably worth to Oakland.
Next: 2015 FA Preview: CB #5, Rasean Mathis