Oakland Raiders: Mocking the Top 10 picks of the 2019 NFL Draft

With most people believing Alabama’s Williams will be a Top 5 pick, we believe he’ll be more of a Top 10. Specifically, he’ll slip to No. 8, where the Detroit Lions will be waiting for him.

As one of the best overall players in this year’s draft class, many will call his “slide” to eight shocking, but it really shouldn’t be, given the needs of the teams ahead of Detroit in the drafting order.

There is no denying that Williams is not just a talent, but a force of nature. He has shredded offensive lines during his time at Alabama and has often looked like a man among boys. However, on college football’s biggest stage – the National Championship Game versus Clemson – Williams flat disappeared.

To be fair, Alabama’s defense as a whole was getting lit up in that 44-16 rout, but Williams was held to just four total tackles (three solo) and one for a loss. He had no pressures, no sacks, was a complete non-factor in the game and yet, still proceeded to talk some trash after the blowout loss.

Williams would add not just valuable depth but another explosive piece to a defensive front that did a good job of pressuring opposing quarterbacks in 2018. As a unit, Detroit’s defense combined for 43 total sacks, with down linemen accounting for 22 of them.

Williams will give them a strong, solid push up the middle, occupy blockers, and allow their defensive ends and rushing linebackers to get home with even more regularity.

Head coach Matt Patricia is a defensive-minded guy. He has to be salivating at the idea of drafting Williams.