A name not often mentioned for our #14: Sylvester Williams

[JawnyBlaze]

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/NFP-Mock-Draft-Version-110.html

14. Carolina Panthers: Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina, Senior: The Panthers desperately to improve their interior defensive line and Williams has the best combination of size, strength, explosiveness and athleticism after Star. He would be able to start immediately for them and would add a much needed play-making dimension to the Panthers defense.

National Football Post is one of my favorite sites for draft stuff. They're high on Williams, and say he's in the same league as Star and Floyd. In particular they say they're hearing teams look at Star and Williams as the top two DTs. I like Williams, his videos showcase a multitalented stud at rushing the passer and holding up at the point of attack. I'm not sure yet how I'd feel if we took him at #14, but I was saying a long time ago I'd love it if we got him in the 2nd. For now I think I'd be happy with him at #14, he's probably my third favorite DT behind Star and Hankins.

[kman72]

Not for me, I don't mind him but it would have to be from trading down or at 44. I like Jesse Williams, Star, Floyd, Jonathan Jenkins, all ahead of him. I would probably take Williams over Jenkins though since I have health concerns with Jenkins

[JawnyBlaze]

I swear I didn't go out looking for mocks with this guy, but coincidentally the very next mock I looked at had the same thing.

http://draftpanthers.com/staff-mock-2/2/

14. Carolina Panthers: “Sly” Williams, DT – UNC

Sylvester Williams has professed a desire to become the next Warren Sapp. The more film we watch, the more we believe it could happen.

[Falcons1stPanthers2nd]

Way way way too high.

[Panthersguru14]

I wouldn't mind as long as we get hunter in the second. I really want that guy

[Pejorative Miscreant]

I think it might be a slight reach at 14, depending who else is still on the board.

[Panthro]

UNC Dlineman are like Penn State RB's and USC (pick one) WR's

[rayzor]

unc homers and haters make it impossible to have a real objective look at any unc prospect. you criticize them and you're just labeled a tarheel hater. you say anything positive and you're labeled a homer. every comment is judged through the lens of bias one way or the other.

I've got no dog in the fight one way or the other, so I'll just say he seems kind of meh...

i can't get excited about him. maybe he'd be ok in the third or late 2nd, but I've just got this feeling of average about him. he could be good, but the ceiling just isn't that high...same with the chances for success, imo. you could do better in the first couple rounds and you could do worse.

i look at him as kawan short-lite, and if you have read any of my comments on short, you'd know I'm not all that sold on him, either. there are elements in their game that make you think they could be something special, but it's just not there enough to be sure you'll see that all the time. given. a choice between the two I'd pick short. if jesse williams is available, id rather have him.

[SOJA]

I like you Jawny and usually agree with you, but no. I'm a UNC student and (although I was inebriated) attended every home and watched every away game this year. This guy, while not a bad player, is not worth the 14 overall pick. He never did anything to wow me. TBH I wouldn't touch him till the 3rd round.

I'm actually unbiased about Tar Heels when it comes to evaluating their impact on our team. I thought Hakeem Nicks could be pretty good, but that is one of the only prospects I have liked for us to target.

That being said, if he can stay healthy (huge if) Gio Bernard is going to be an impact player for some team. We need another running back like we need our assholes and mouths switched, so he's out of the equation.

[JawnyBlaze]

I'll take your word for it. I wasn't pushing the idea so much as repeating what I've seen in some recent mocks. All I have to go off of is youtube videos and he looks quite good in those. MUCH better than Short, Floyd, or really anyone but Star, Hankins and *maybe* Richardson (though S. Williams seems to offer a more diverse skillset). I'll certainly trust the opinion of someone who's watched all the UNC games over what I've seen in youtube videos.

[Jaxel]

It says he wouldn't start right away... Which on this team with DTs we have makes him automatically not worth it.

[JawnyBlaze]

huh?

He would be able to start immediately for them and would add a much needed play-making dimension to the Panthers defense.

I'm pretty sure the top 10 or so DTs in this draft would start for us right away...

I'm guessing you just misread it :)

[Jaxel]

Yup, my bad.

[MrBubba]

My only concern with Sly Williams, is that I saw several UNC games last fall, and I don't remember Williams jumping out at me or hearing his name much. At least not to the degree of, hey thats a first round pick.