Houston Texans: Three offensive tackles to target in the 2019 NFL Draft

Tackle #2: Jonah Williams

This tackle certainly fits the bill for the Houston Texans as he’s likely one of the most talented tackles that will be available when the team picks at No. 23 in the first round.  It will be an immense reach upward if the Houston Texans want to set their sights on Cody Ford but Williams should be on the board when it’s our hometown’s time to shine with their first pick of the draft.

Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com said that Williams had a “phenomenal” interview at the NFL Combine.  Communication, which is an important skill to have at a premium position like his, is paramount and I wouldn’t expect anything less out of a top-tiered offensive lineman.

The 6-foot-4, 302-pound tackle with 33.6-inch arms and 10.2-inch hands had a stellar senior season at Alabama and is primed to make his mark in the NFL.  He has proven that he can play both tackle and guard well so the Houston Texans can sleep easy knowing this guy can be shifted all around the offensive line but his most effective area is on the right side of the line, either at tackle or guard.  However, he could be just as stout on the left side — where he has played within his last two seasons with ‘Bama — which is what makes Williams such a prudent pick for the Houston Texans to make.

Henderson is not going to last forever — he’s a stop-gap quite frankly — and Williams could certainly be the Houston Texans right tackle of the future and eons beyond, especially with what Campbell reports him having an “outstanding knowledge of technique.”

PFF has Jonah graded at a sterling 89.2 for the 2018 season through 908 snaps.  He was ranked 8th among tackles in his pass-blocking efficiency with a 98.7.

Williams also took the 3rd-most snaps among tackles (241) against outside pressure, proving that he’s ready to tango with cream of the crop talent as the SEC — as well as Alabama football — is the closest thing to a farm system that prepares players for the NFL.

He’s above-average with his pass, run as well as screen blocking as well as the pressures he deals with and keeps his penalties to a minimum, which explains his acute attention to detail.  His ability to avoid negative run blocks is a bit below-average but the whole package of Williams is much more promising than that minor tidbit.

He’s known to create holes for his running backs, something that the Texans have had problems doing for the past few seasons.  Alabama’s offense was ranked 3rd in the FBS this season — 45.6 points per game — and Williams was instrumental to their success.  He did not allow a sack, yielded just three pressures and missed only three assignments through his snaps last season.

He was unanimous first-team All-American, he won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy — awarded to the SEC’s top offensive lineman — and was, of course, named to the All-SEC first team.

Here’s what Zierlein had to say about him:

"“Early entrant and three-year starter whose work ethic, attention to detail and desire to get better each day have made him a foundation piece of Alabama’s dominant run. Like his idol, Joe Thomas, Williams uses angles, technique and body control to succeed in all facets of the game. He looked more comfortable in his pass sets at left tackle in his final year and he has the tools necessary to counter bigger, longer edge defenders despite a lack of ideal size and length for the left tackle spot. His cerebral nature and potential versatility should make him a safe pick and successful, long-time starter in the NFL.”"

His “student-like” approach to the game with unique intuitiveness and versatility that he brings to the position makes Williams a perfect pick for the Texans and is on equal footing with Ford.  I certainly hope the Texans strike it big by landing this powerhouse of offensive talent as he can be the centerpiece that can make this unit leap new bounds.  I’m sold on him!