The NFL draft is set for April 25 through 27 in Nashville, Tenn. and each morning we’ll look at a player on the Falcons’ draft board.
Former Vanderbilt cornerback Joejuan Williams is a projected second-round pick who’s had a private work out with the Falcons.
“Too physical for his own good, at times,” writes Ric Serritella in the NFL Draft Bible 2019. “ Can get himself off balance with his initial jam of the receiver and isn't afraid to trade jabs down the sidelines, battling for position. Like most taller corners, Williams is a bit vulnerable to shiftier wideouts, projecting exclusively as a perimeter corner (or even a safety).”
The Williams file:
Height: 6-foot, 3.5-inches
Weight: 211 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.55 seconds at Pro Day; 4.64 at combine
Bench: 17
Vertical: not available
10-yard split: 1.65 seconds
20-yard: 2.71 seconds
3-Cone Drill: not available
Broad Jump: not available
Credit: ccompton@ajc.com
Credit: ccompton@ajc.com
Five questions with Williams
Q: What will it mean to get drafted in hometown?
A: "It's going to be special. Last year, hearing the draft was going to be in Nashville, I thought it would be very special that I am from Nashville, I went
to school in Nashville, and the draft is going to be in Nashville. Just the thought of getting drafted there, it would be very special to me.”
Q: How did time at Vanderbilt help you?
A: "Vanderbilt helped me ten-fold. Vanderbilt taught me how to watch film, how to be a (defensive back), (head) coach (Derek) Mason, (cornerbacks) coach Terrence Brown and (defensive backs) coach Marc Mattioli did a great job with me, molding me into the person I am today. The academic piece molded me into the man I am today. And just with time management skills, figuring out how to take classes, how to do practice, how to manage game time situations. Vanderbilt helped me out a ton."
Q: When did you fall in love with football?
A: "I fell in love with football at the age of five. Right down the street from my granny's crib is a youth football organization, and I saw they had sign-ups and
I just begged my mom to sign me up. Ever since I put that oversized helmet on, I fell in love with it that day.”
Q: Who did you look up to in NFL growing up?
A: "Just like I was looking up to all the Titans players back in the day, from Steve McNair to Eddie George to Chris Johnson, Vince Young. All those guys that I looked
up to when they played for the Titans, kids are doing the same thing (for me), and I just want to be that role model.”
Q: Would you like to get drafted by the Titans?
A: "Playing for the hometown team, what I would say is don't draft me just because I'm from Nashville. Draft me because I am the best option, the best defensive
back in the draft. Playing for the Titans, that would be something special, too.”
OTHERS ON THE FALCONS DRAFT BOARD
» Mississippi State DE Montez Sweat
» North Carolina LB Cole Holcomb
» Eastern Michigan DE Maxx Crosby
» Alabama State OT Tytus Howard
ATLANTA FALCONS 2019 DRAFT PICKS
Round 1, No. 14 overall
Round 2, No. 45 overall
Round 3, No. 79 overall
Round 4, No. 117 overall
Round 4, No. 137 overall (compensatory)
Round 5, No. 152 overall
Round 5, No. 172 overall (compensatory)
Round 6, No. 186 overall
Round 7, No. 230 overall
Subscribe to "The Bow Tie Chronicles" podcast with the AJC's D. Orlando Ledbetter on iTunes or on the new AJC sports podcasts page.
About the Author
