Ravens trade up to select tight end Maxx Williams
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The Baltimore Ravens traded up to select tight end Maxx Williams out of Minnesota in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Baltimore traded its second-round and fifth-round picks (58th and 158th overall) to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for the 55th pick to take Williams.
Williams was widely considered to be the best tight end available, a position that Baltimore was in desperate need with Owen Daniels joining the Denver Broncos and Dennis Pitta's injury status remaining tenuous.
The 21-year-old provides Joe Flacco with another weapon in the red zone, and the Minnesota product possesses excellent hands and seldom drops the ball. Although he doesn't sport the best straight-line speed, Williams accelerates well and only stands to improve as the Ravens' top tight end.
Maxx Williams Bio
Position: TE
School: Minnesota
College Experience: Redshirt Sophomore
Height: 6-4
Weight: 249 lbs.
Age: 21
Combine Results
| Event | Result |
|---|---|
| 40-yd Dash | 4.78 sec |
| Bench Press | 17 reps |
| Vertical Jump | 34.5 inches |
| Broad Jump | 117 inches |
| 3-Cone Drill | N/A |
| 20-yd Shuttle | 4.37 sec |
Strengths
- Good combination of size and speed for a modern "move" tight end. Can outrun linebackers and safeties and get open deep.
- A natural catcher. Snags passes with his hands, not his body.
- Makes contested catches in traffic. A weapon in the red zone.
- Accelerates quickly after the catch. Provides significant YAC value.
- Has lots of room for improvement. Very high ceiling.
Weaknesses
- Combine bench press number is alarming. Must add strength as a pro.
- Tends to round off routes, possibly as the result of tight hips. Must become more precise in his route-running.
- Must learn to better use body to wall off defenders.
- Limited as an in-line blocker. Must improve functional strength and technique.