Oakland Raiders Free Agent Acquisitions By the Numbers
Jun. 11, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA: Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Dan Williams (92) during mini camp at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dan Williams – Defensive Tackle
Dan Williams is a guy who didn’t get a lot of hype around him before Free Agency started. With Suh, and Knighton garnering all the media spotlight due to their higher profile situations, Williams was a guy who went overlooked by a lot of people. Between Williams, Antonio Smith, and Justin Ellis the Raiders now have one of the most complete collections of interior linemen in the NFL. While I don’t consider Williams to be a replacement to Smith or Ellis more so a compliment to the corps as a whole, here’s how the three all grade out.
Dan Williams
- Overall Ranking: T14th
- Overall Grade: 11.5
- Pass Rush: +1.3 (33rd overall)
- Run Stopping: +11.7 (8th)
- Run Stop %: 9.1% (7th overall)
Antonio Smith
- Overall Ranking: 57th
- Overall Grade: -3.9
- Pass Rush: +18.3 (3rd overall)
- Run Stopping: -20 (81st)
- Run Stop %: 4.1% (45th overall)
Justin Ellis
- Overall Ranking: 55th
- Overall Grade: -3.5
- Pass Rush: -8.3 (79th)
- Run Stopping: +4.9 (15th)
- Run Stop %: 5% (42nd)
Last season, Ellis and Smith were great compliments to one another. Smith is an outstanding pass rushing tackle (ranking higher than Mr. Megadeal Suh in pass rush) while Ellis was incredibly solid at stopping the run; especially for a rookie taken in the 4th round. Williams is just simply a more complete player than both Smith and Ellis, and he has a motor to play every down on defense. Using Ellis to compliment Williams on running downs, and Smith on passing downs will make an incredibly efficient interior Defensive Line in a 4-3 set.
If the Raiders choose to go 3-4, Williams has the ability to make the push on his own to disrupt the offensive line. Having someone who can get solid penetration up the middle should also show an increase in the sack numbers for the edge rushers. With no pocket to step up into, Mack and Tuck should be able to cause even more havoc in the back field; if QBs do want to step up to avoid the edge rush they should be met by all 520 lbs of Williams and Smith.
Just to note as well, Terrance Knighton was the other contender to be the new Defensive Tackle position in Oakland, claiming the offer wasn’t enough money. Personally, I wouldn’t have been sad if Knighton would have come to the Raiders, but I think Williams is the best Defensive Tackle in Free Agency that isn’t going to bankrupt a team. Plus, with young Justin Ellis having the exact same skill set as Knighton, and proving to be a great draft pick, in a year or two I won’t be surprised if he surpasses Knighton as a player.
Next: FA By the Numbers: Malcom Smith