Cory's Corner: Dexter Williams' Super Bowl
Questions remain about the seldom-used speed back with a hint of power.
The next few weeks will turn into Dexter Williams’ Super Bowl.
The Packers running back that was taken in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft is in a fierce battle for the No. 3 running back job.
Now, many may think that Williams is the easy choice because he has been on the roster the last two years. However, that would be availability bias. Williams has only appeared in seven games in two seasons with just 19 total rushing yards.
“I think Dexter,” LaFleur said earlier in camp, “he’s another guy, man, that has come so far. He’s one of the hardest workers we have on this football team.”
Williams has to prove that he has the speed and power to stay in Green Bay. He knows that he has an obvious leg up by being a Packer, but one could also argue that he hasn’t exactly broken that door down.
Williams, 24, has bounced from the practice squad, injured reserve and back. I have always liked his quick cutting and his surprising power. He has shown good vision and isn’t afraid to absorb and give a hit.
However, he hasn’t really taken that next step. Which is obviously tough when you are playing behind one of the best backs in the NFC and a power back that had his coming out party last year. But now Williams has rookie Kylin Hill, who is very versatile, and the jury is still out on Patrick Taylor, who spent all of last year on the non-football injury list after being an undrafted rookie in 2020.
“I think there’s great competition for that third spot,” LaFleur said. “There’s going to be a lot of opportunity for those three players in particular to get a lot of carries. We’ll try to feature those guys.”
In other words, look for those three backs to be featured a lot in the preseason. On the outside, the No. 3 running back position for the Green Bay Packers may seem like a forgotten position. However, it’s a potential jumping off point as well. Injuries are a fact of life in the NFL and this position would mean big things for an offense that is going to be really fun to watch this year.
It all depends on what happens now. Williams has put up some interesting highlights, but there are still so many questions about who he is as a running back and what role he fills on this team.
All those things will be answered soon.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (22)
NickPerry
August 10, 2021 at 06:27 am
I'm a much bigger fan of Taylor and Hill than I am of Williams. He just hasn't shown much of anything in the past two years but hey, if he breaks out this year I wouldn't be mad. It just I REALLY like Hill and feel he was a steal in the 7th round. Patrick Taylor was actually the RB in that Memphis offense with Antonio Gibson, the Washington RB who was drafted just after Dillion and had a hell of year last year. Gibson played WR but also ran the ball at Memphis and averaged like 11 YPC his last season in college on limited carries. Gibson was on of my draft crushes in the 2020 draft.
Personally I think Williams has his work cut out for him with Taylor and Hill on this roster.
Rossonero
August 10, 2021 at 07:09 am
Agree 100%. I'm more excited about Hill, then Taylor and Williams in that order. The key for these 3rd string RBs is brilliance in the basics -- in terms of special teams execution, where they normally end up. Williams had a horrific miss on a block last season that I still remember. He has to clean that up to have any chance. Hill intrigues me the most. If we're only gonna carry 3 RBs, then I hope it's Hill.
jannesbjornson
August 10, 2021 at 08:45 am
Williams should have received the pink slip last year.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
August 10, 2021 at 06:49 am
Nick,
I believe you are right!
I see Dexter similarly to ESB with lots of potential but for whatever reason has never been able to stay on the field to show it. Hill bumps Dexter no doubt IMO. I hope to see a lot of Taylor as his videos are impressive.
saltandpeppers
August 10, 2021 at 09:52 am
I mean, ESB has done a whole lot more than Dexter.
Coldworld
August 10, 2021 at 12:25 pm
“Whole lot” might be pushing it. Some more yes.
mattgsx
August 10, 2021 at 10:15 am
He reminds me a lot of Christine Michael. Lots of physical potential, talented runner, but none of that matters if you can't put it together on the field when everything happens at full speed.
I think the #3 spot is Hill's to lose.
Roadrunner23
August 10, 2021 at 07:08 am
It will come down to:
*who is the best in pass pro
*who contributes the most on ST
*who is the most versatile
*cheapest contract
Loser ends up n the PS
ND
RCPackerFan
August 10, 2021 at 07:21 am
Right now I feel like Hill is the leader for the 3rd spot. The 3rd RB spot will definitely have to play special teams, and we have already heard that Drayton is vetting for Hill to be the KR. That being said its far from over for the competition for that 3rd spot.
I'm really looking forward to watching this battle for the 3rd spot. Hill and Taylor are probably the 2 I want to see the most. Hill I think is a sleeper pick in the draft. I think he has a chance to contribute right away. Taylor brings some size. He is 6'2 217 lbs. He should know the offense well.
Williams is a guy who could blossom. Some guys take longer then others. I just think he has an uphill battle with Hill and Taylor fighting for that 3rd spot.
This battle is one that I am really going to be watching in the games. Make sure to keep an eye on special teams.
stockholder
August 10, 2021 at 07:57 am
Cut him. Hill wins.
Packers0808
August 10, 2021 at 08:01 am
Simple in the end, best man will win in the eyes of the coaches! Hill definitely getting the most ink this season so far!
Coldworld
August 10, 2021 at 12:28 pm
Taylor is really just practicing fully. That’s is probably the real battle here and just starting. Williams will need to be blindingly good to change that absent injuries.
murf7777
August 10, 2021 at 08:16 am
Positional Competition is great……This teams is loaded on Offense and not to far behind on D. Probably the most talented since 2011. Even with a tough schedule, I’d be very surprised if we’re not back in the NFC championship game and make the SB. To me Bak’s return to health is the biggest question mark in making that happen. If Bak is healthy, the Pack will beat Tampa Tommy.
Coldworld
August 10, 2021 at 08:33 am
The main reasons that Williams hasn’t been used have been primarily his inability to handle protection and secondly his issues catching/running routes. He’s actually always looked good with the ball in hand.
Going into the preseason games we know zero about Hill or Taylor’s blocking prowess or where all three are in terms of route and hands. So I think we need to temper our enthusiasm. There are things to like about all three and an equal amount of unknowns.
Having said that, Hill and Taylor are apparently working on potentially being our kickoff returner. Neither have experience, so there is no way to know if they are going to be great or awful. Thompkins is probably the only experienced kick returner not named Cobb, and he’s likely only in the mix for the PS. That means that it’s a 31 year old or one of those two. If one shows enough reliability and judgment, that player is likely RB 3 on that alone.
So, 3 good runners with unknown ability as pass blockers, route runners, catching (Hill has a leg up there) and returners (except Williams). This will be an open fight with a lot of variables in which the running aspect maybe the most insignificant factor as all can, making the difference between them likely to come in the other aspects of the role. Should be a tense, interesting feature of the 3 upcoming games. I hope health doesn’t intervene.
wildbill
August 10, 2021 at 10:06 am
Very well stated.
flackcatcher
August 10, 2021 at 11:08 am
Reports that Aaron Jones strained his hammy in family night. So it begins... (sigh)
Coldworld
August 10, 2021 at 12:29 pm
Jones doesn’t need the preseason. I doubt we see all that much of Dillon. If there has to be a hammy, the timing could be worse.
PackEyedOptimist
August 10, 2021 at 11:16 am
The thing I don't get is why isn't Dexter Williams also getting reps at KR? He actually seems the most physically appropriate choice, with his slashing style and speed. Maybe they tried him the past two years and he somehow failed miserably at it?
I've become a big Kylin Hill supporter; I love how he makes yardage through the trash. I like that he has a different style than the other guys; he also is someone who goes over tacklers a lot (hurdling, step-overs, etc.).
I'm hoping at least one of the other two makes the PS, ideally both.
Coldworld
August 10, 2021 at 12:37 pm
He was tried there without success in 2019. Just being good with ball in hand is a pretty poor indicator of return ability. That’s why I’m not super confident that either Hill or Taylor will emerge as competent kick returners. Worth trying, but few excel there. If one does, then their ball in hand skills become relevant.
Leatherhead
August 10, 2021 at 11:47 am
I would submit that it’s not about proving he has the speed or power. I think the key qualities for an RB on this team are
Availability
Ball security
Assignment sure blocker
That’s what we want most of all. I think Dex will start the season on the 53, because the other guys are eligible for the PS and I don’t think he is. I’m sure we’d trade him for a Day 3 pick so maybe that could happen.
Coldworld
August 10, 2021 at 12:38 pm
He is eligible since the rule changes.
Leatherhead
August 10, 2021 at 01:11 pm
Ok. The rules are changing so fast I can’t keep track.