A solid, but not spectacular day is how most are characterizing former Gopher tight end Maxx Williams’ workout at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Williams came into the event ranked by many as the top tight end in the draft and most experts don’t expect that to change after his workout.
Williams impressed the scouts with his soft hands, but his 40-yard dash times left a little to be desired. Williams ran the 40 in 4.9 and 4.77 seconds, not exactly eye-popping speed, but still the third-fastest time by a tight end in this year’s class.
Dane Brugler the Senior Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com doesn’t expect Williams’ 40-times to negatively affect his draft stock. Brugler said while Williams may not be a speed demon, he’s a “darn good football player,” who proved he’s first round-worthy during his workouts on Thursday and Friday.
“Although the 40-yard dashes weren’t overly impressive, Williams showed off his soft hands in the gauntlet drill and other receiving tests in Indianapolis, using his natural adjustment skills and focus to easily secure grabs. He also carried himself well during the interview process with one NFL team source telling me that his ‘confidence and talent for a 20-year-old’ really stands out during team meetings.”
Williams stood out during the gauntlet drill, making grabs with ease during his workout.
. “@GopherGridiron: @williams_maxx today at the NFL Combine! #Gophers#BrickByBrickpic.twitter.com/CQCi7qtIzl”
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) February 20, 2015
Linebacker Damien Wilson, another former Gopher who lined up opposite Williams in plenty of practices, was also at the combine Friday.
“I don’t think that [40-time] hurts him,” Wilson told the Pioneer Press. “I’ve seen Maxx run. His game speed is incredible. There are not many people who are going to catch him. You’ve got to be a super fast corner or safety to run Maxx down when he’s in the open field.”
