Five thoughts on LT Russell Okung and OT Trent Williams, one of whom will be picked by Washington fourth overall (right now we’re hearing Williams). Based on watching some highlights of Williams and Okung and from talking to scouts and others involved in the draft process:
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1. Trent Williams struggled at times to pick up the blitz (ask Sam Bradford). However, he was also new to left tackle and perhaps that was part of the adjustment he needed to make. On the play in which Bradford was hurt vs. BYU, it did not appear that Williams even saw the blitzing linebacker until it was too late.
2. I could see the athleticism scouts have been talking about with Williams. That was evident on some pass sets in the Miami game in which he reacted very well to a rusher who started out and then tried to get inside. On the other hand, he was very inconsistent in that game because he was beaten inside a couple times. Also saw him get beat wide vs. Texas. And that’s the team he had to measure himself against.
3. I loved Okung. Scouts and others say he’s the safer pick, but safe sometimes sounds like a negative. Smarter pick might be another phrase. I remember years ago talking to former Redskins OL coach Jim Hanifan about Tre Johnson. I said something stupid about whether or not it was good that he was a little raw. His response was, “Hell no, I want him ready to play now.” Okung is ready to play now. His footwork was much more consistent, perhaps because he played the spot better — or because he’s just better. He got out on some runs and I saw him flatten a linebacker. He played with a little nasty streak, too, which is good. Chris Samuels did not have that when he came to the Redskins.
4. Okung’s pass sets were better. I like the balance he set with on his drops and in his highs/lows package, I did not see any lows. He also showed the ability to pull, something I did not see from Williams (doesn’t mean he didn’t do it, just didn’t see it in the stuff I watched).
5. Both players would fit with what Mike Shanahan wants to do in terms of his zone-blocking scheme (which the Redskins ran under Joe Bugel too). Having heard for three months now what Shanahan favors in draft picks, I would probably lean toward them picking Williams. But if it were up to me I’d take Okung. You have a quarterback who’s ready to win now, don’t you want a tackle who is the same?
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