[tps_title]2017 NFL Combine: 5 RB participants to watch for the Dallas Cowboys[/tps_title]
[3/5] Jamaal Williams, BYU (6’0″, 211)
Why he’s on this list: Jamaal Williams is an intriguing Day Three prospect for the Dallas Cowboys, although with a somewhat limited skill set. I don’t foresee him ever becoming an every down back in the NFL, because he isn’t a very good receiver out of the backfield and struggles somewhat in pass protection. He is however pretty good with the ball in his hands.
Williams finished his career at BYU with 3,901 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns. He also broke two school records. The first rushing for 286 yards against Toledo to break the single-season rushing record, and the second was for breaking the career rushing yards record in school history at BYU.
Williams possesses impressive lower body strength and is more slippery than what you would think for a RB his size. He is fast enough to break away from defenses, but doesn’t possess elite speed. He also shows nice vision and has a shiftyness/elusiveness that frustrates defenders trying to make a tackle, often times causing them to come up with nothing but air.
What to watch for at the NFL combine: There are a few red flags that will need to be answered during the interview process, but nothing that should be of a major concern. His official measurements is also something to keep a close eye on. He looks taller than 6’0″ on tape, but that doesn’t really seem to have an effect on his agility much. His 40 yard dash and agility drills will be something to monitor, but I really want to see how he performs when asked to catch the ball. That is something he wasn’t asked to do much at BYU.
