From the combine:
At 6-7 and 295 pounds, Williams recorded an impressive time in the 40-yard dash (4.66), posted the second-best vertical jump (40½) among defensive linemen, and showed great body control and agility during individual position drills. Williams' strong showing solidified his standing as one the elite prospects in the 2006 class and also could lead to him being the first defensive player taken in April's draft -- possibly No. 5 overall to the Packers.
While Williams was the headliner of the unit, his teammate, DE Manny Lawson, also impressed with his exceptional showing. Lawson finished with the best 40-yard dash time (4.43) of all the defensive linemen and also ranked near the top of the group in the vertical jump (39½), broad jump (10-4), three-cone drill (6.90), short shuttle {4.18} and long shuttle (11.08}. An undersized DE/OLB tweener, Lawson projects as a situational pass-rusher early in his NFL career, until he can add bulk as a 4-3 DE or adjust to playing OLB in a 3-4 scheme. In the meantime, he also has value on special teams, especially blocking kicks.
Alabama DE Mark Anderson put up some shockingly good numbers during his workout session on Monday. Anderson was a productive starter during his final two collegiate seasons, using good technique and a high motor to overcome his seemingly below-average speed and athletic ability. But Anderson excelled inside the RCA Dome, as he finished near the top among defensive linemen in the 40-yard dash (4.61), broad jump (10-7), vertical jump (42), three-cone drill (6.95), short shuttle (4.22) and long shuttle (11.75).
One of the great stories of this draft process has been that of Cal-Poly's Chris Gocong. A versatile defensive lineman who played end and tackle in college, Gocong led the Division I-AA ranks with 19 sacks as a senior in 2005. Gocong obviously will be forced to make a huge transition in the NFL. He does not have the size (6-2, 264 pounds) to play inside, but he did show the speed in the 40-yard dash (4.7) and overall athleticism in the vertical jump (38½), broad jump (10-2), three-cone drill (7.03), short shuttle (4.08} and long shuttle (11.35) to be a DE/OLB-type. If nothing else, Gocong should prove to be an effective situational edge rusher in either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme.
The big knock on Purdue DE Ray Edwards is his inconsistent motor. Edwards has impressive size and the frame to grow. He ran well in the 40-yard (4.7 range) and displayed outstanding leaping ability in the vertical jump (39) and broad jump (9-6). More importantly, Edwards showed very good athleticism and agility for such a tall player during his position drills.
Oklahoma DT Dusty Dvoracek impressed on the field with a high motor and great quickness in drills. Also, despite off-the-field baggage -- three alcohol-related incidents while at Oklahoma, including one that resulted in a yearlong suspension in 2004 -- Dvoracek reportedly has handled himself well by showing a lot of maturity during some tough interview sessions.
Michigan NT Gabe Watson also has impressed with his quickness and agility for such a big defensive lineman. However, the interview sessions have not been so kind to Watson, who has had many questions to answer regarding his inconsistent motor and production throughout his collegiate career. One defensive line coach from an AFC team reportedly called out Watson for taking plays off during the season and only playing hard when "money was on the line" at the Senior Bowl.
Supreme among defensive-line bench pressers (225 pounds) were Ohio State DE Mike Kudla (record-tying 45 reps), Florida State DT Brodrick Bunkley (44), Northwestern DT Barry Cofield (35), Ohio State DT Marcus Green (33) and Georgia DT Kedric Golston (31).
Syracuse defensive linemen Ryan LaCasse (4.54) and James Wyche (4.63) recorded impressive times in the 40-yard dash.