Dynasty Scouts Player Spotlight: Kasen Williams

Matt Caraccio Posted On October 6, 2014

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Dynasty Scouts Player Spotlight: Kasen Williams, #2 WR Washington

Strengths

Size
Hands catcher
Large catch radius
Excellent body control
Excellent balance
Tracks ball well in the air
Run after the catch ability

Weaknesses

More of a long strider and not a burner
Acceleration
Catching in traffic
Broken Leg in 2013

Who is Kasen Williams?

Many would say that Kasen Williams was born to be a great receiver; that catching a football was part of his DNA. Those people would not be speaking in hyperbole – they would be absolutely correct. Williams is the son of former University of Washington star wide receiver Aaron Williams. Like his father before him, Kasen was born to play the position. As a stand out athlete at Skyline High School in Sammamish, Washington, Williams excelled in both track & field and football. Coming out of high school he was rated as one of the top wide receivers in the country and ESPN graded him as the seventieth overall recruit in the country.

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As fate would have it Williams chose his father’s alma mater, the University of Washington, over the likes of Notre Dame, California and Florida in 2010. In honor of his father, Williams chose to wear his father’s number (#2) while playing for the Huskies. In 2011, as a true freshman, Williams saw action in 13 games for the Huskies at both receiver and as their primary punt returner. The following year, in 2012, Williams gained momentum as an NFL prospect. Earning all conference honorable mention, Williams’ 77 receptions ranked third in school history for a single season and his 878 receiving yards was good enough for eighth in the Huskies’ record books. Also in that same year, against divisional rival, the Stanford Cardinals, Williams became the first wide receiver since Reggie Williams,to log double-digit receptions in a single game. Williams’ 10 receptions for 129 yards and a late game touchdown propelled the Huskies to an exciting 17-13 victory over the Cardinals.

In 2013, the stage was set for Williams to capitalize on his efforts from the previous season and solidify his name among 2014 NFL Draft hopefuls. Eight games into the season, disaster struck. Williams broke his left leg and severely injured his left ankle. Williams would require hours of reconstructive surgery to repair the damage. After months of rehabilitation, Williams is back on the football field and is currently on schedule to make his return on August 30^th when the Huskies meet the University of Hawaii.

Strengths

A former state champion in both the high jump and long jumps; Kasen Williams knows how to use every bit of his six-foot three-inch, 217 pound frame to win on the football field. Combining next level receiving skills and instincts with his NFL physique, Williams is a tough assignment for any defensive back. At the snap of the ball Williams displays good initial burst off the line of scrimmage, flashing the ability to beat press coverage when needed. With an estimated speed in the low 4.5’s, Williams has enough acceleration during the vertical stem of his route to threaten a defensive back’s cushion. At the top of his route Williams shows the requisite flexibility to sink his hips and make cuts at speed. When the ball is in the air; Williams shines. On short and intermediate routes, Williams brings a number of tools to each encounter with the defensive secondary. First, Williams has strong hands and a large catch radius. Williams is capable of extending his arms away from his body and plucking the ball from the air. Second, Williams brings an exceptional understanding of how to utilize his large frame to win defensive encounters. By consistently shielding defenders on his back, Williams can significantly minimize a defenders impact on a play. Third, Williams has a keen awareness of his surroundings. Seamlessly combining instinct, vision and athleticism, Williams shows the ability break off routes when needed to make receptions. Fourth, he is an incredible runner after the catch, as well as both elusive and powerful. Whether he decides to lower his shoulder and break tackles, or spin away from defenders, Williams is difficult to bring down. In the play below, we are going to take a look at how he incorporates each of these elements in a game situation.

In the play below, it is second and ten, and Williams is being asked to run a dig route (yellow) with the defensive back yielding a five-yard cushion over the top (blue). Notice the ball (red) is leading Williams on a collision course (black arrow) with the defender over the middle of the field (orange). The image also depicts that both defenders have recognized the quarterback’s intent and are already beginning their pursuit. For most collegiate wide receivers, this play will either result in an immediate collision with the defense and a catch for no gain, or an incompletion.

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Demonstrating next level awareness, you can see below how Williams realizes the nature of the compromising situation he is about to enter and immediately hits the breaks; stopping his forward momentum. Williams secures the reception, never losing focus, and begins to take evasive action.

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Capitalizing on the space achieved previously in the play, you will notice below that Williams utilizes his excellent balance and lateral agility to evade the defense. By stringing together a jump cut and a stiff arm, Williams is able to gain separation and scamper for a couple of yards.

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On deep routes, Williams has the capability to develop into a big play receiver. He not only tracks the ball well over his shoulder, but Williams wins consistently in tight coverage. In the images below you will notice how Williams is able to adjust well to the football and extend his arms away from his body to secure the catch. What truly makes this remarkable is that Williams is successful despite the smothering defense. It is also important to note that on each one of the catches Williams remarkably had the presence of mind to tuck the ball under his arm, while still airborne, before hitting the ground. williams4 Finally, as a blocker in the run game, Williams is more than competent. Playing with good leverage, Williams was a very effective blocker for the Huskies on perimeter run plays. There is little doubt in my mind that Williams will continue to improve upon this facet of his game at the next level. This should make him a target for run oriented teams.

Weaknesses

Although Williams is an excellent prospect, there are few lingering concerns. Williams does not have elite acceleration or straight-line speed. In addition, Williams is not terribly explosive in and out of his breaks, despite his elusive running style. As a result he has primarily relied upon his outstanding catch-radius, size and athleticism to win at the catch point. At the next level, Williams will have to learn to utilize more deception and finesse in his route running to gain separation from more talented defensive backs. There is little doubt in my mind that Williams will be successful in this endeavor, since his elusiveness after the catch foreshadows the ability to improve. Another concern is that Williams has a tendency to body catch on balls thrown over the middle of the field. With the requisite size, functional quickness, and physical strength to develop into a solid possession receiver, Williams must work on extending his arms and plucking the ball from the air on passing plays over the middle of the field. While body catching may seem like a tactic that protects the receiver, it is actually very detrimental to the result of the play. Not only does it compromises the reception itself, but body catching also limits the potential yards a receiver can gain after the catch. Williams certainly appears to be comfortable with contact, but going across the middle of the field is a different animal all together. This aspect of Williams’s game will require further monitoring over the course of the season. Finally, Williams is coming off a major injury to his left leg. The extent to which this will affect him has yet to be seen. All reports have been positive so far, but the degree to which Williams is able to return to full health will have a significant impact on his draft status.

Final Verdict

Kasen Williams has the potential to be a very good receiver at the next level. Despite what many critics may say about Williams’s lack of straight-line speed or elite acceleration, Williams is gifted in other ways. As we outlined earlier, Williams is a large physical receiver with strong hands, a large catch radius and outstanding athleticism. Williams has the tools to become a very good receiver at the next level. At this point in his development, Williams compares favorably to James Jones and Sidney Rice. This should tell you as a dynasty owner that situation will play a key role in Williams’ long term prospects. A good quarterback could make Williams an immediate impact player in the fantasy football world. A poor quarterback, will require an owner to be more patient while Williams develops his overall game. As result, injury concerns aside, I would not hesitate to draft Williams in the first two rounds of a dynasty draft. The potential upside is worth the gamble.

Follow Matt Caraccio on Twitter: @Matty_OS

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