Outside cornerback with the footwork/athleticism to match routes with good balance and smooth transitions. Williams possesses average size but can be a willing tackler when the opportunity arises. He can mirror and match the release but is inconsistent playing with his back to the quarterback. On the flip side, he's instinctive and twitchy from zone and off-man but must become more aggressive at attacking passing lanes rather than playing the man. He suffered an ACL tear in October 2022, but if his pre-draft medical exams check out, he could go in the middle rounds and have a chance to become a CB3.
Garrett Williams - CB Syracuse 2023 NFL Draft
Garrett Williams - CB Syracuse
Bio
Williams redshirted his first year with the Orange, playing in four games on special teams with no statistics, but became one of the top cornerbacks in the ACC in 2020 (64 tackles, three for loss with one sack, two interceptions, one returned for a score, in 11 starts). He tied for the conference lead with 10 pass breakups to earn honorable mention all-league notice. The former all-region pick at Hickory Ridge High School in North Carolina was an honorable mention All-ACC pick in 2021, tying for the conference lead once more with 10 breakups, in addition to posting 52 tackles, five for loss, in 10 starts. Williams was an honorable mention pick again in 2022 (36 tackles, 1.5 for loss, two interceptions, three pass breakups in seven starts) despite missing the second half of the season with a torn ACL.
