Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Update: Trayveon Williams, RB CIN

Dwight Peebles Posted On June 4, 2019

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Name: Trayveon Williams

Position: Running Back

Pro Team: Cincinnati Bengals

College Team: Texas A&M Aggies

Draft Status: Sixth round, 182nd overall

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

COMBINE REVIEW

Height: 5’8”
Weight: 206 pounds
Arms: 30 ⅜ ”
Hands: 9 ¼ ”
40-Yard Dash: 4.51 seconds
Bench press: 19 reps
Vertical Jump: 33”
Broad Jump: 121”
3-Cone Drill: 7.44 seconds
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.44 seconds
60-Yard Shuttle: N/A

STRENGTHS

Strong burst, great second gear
Good hands out of the backfield
Contact balance in the open, tough to bring down indirectly
Does a lot of things well, none great
Very strong in pass protection
High character, a leader in the locker room
Durable and gets stronger as the game goes on
Capable of taking every run the distance

WEAKNESSES

Tunnel vision – doesn’t see holes well or plays developing
Change of direction is slower, doesn’t have natural cutting ability
Feet only go one speed, although they are constantly moving
Smaller back unlikely to handle full NFL workload
Not as explosive catching passes as he is as a runner

OPPORTUNITIES

Trayveon Williams was a productive back for the Aggies, starting all three years he was there, putting up huge numbers in 2018. He rushed for 1,760 yards, 18 scores, adding another 278 yards as well as another touchdown receiving. He had previous success but looked like a complete back in the season. Averaging 6.0 yards per carry in the NCAA, he looks poised to take the step forward into the NFL.

He had a decent showing at the Combine, though he didn’t differentiate or step out to make himself move up draft boards. The numbers backed up what he had on tape. He’s a good running back but doesn’t possess any “elite” skills or traits. The numbers were not alarming although the three-cone drill time was one of the slower ones amongst running backs.

Ultimately, he was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round – right about where he was projected to go as the process went on. The Bengals also selected talented running back Rodney Anderson from Oklahoma in the sixth round. Each rookie joins the team behind entrenched Joe Mixon, the in-his-prime starter for the Bengals.

THREATS

The path to touches is going to be a rough one for Williams. There isn’t a clear path for him at this point. On top of being behind Mixon, Giovani Bernard has been a successful number two back spelling Mixon, and also as a receiving back with big play ability. Bernard is only under contract through 2019 and the number two back role will be up for grabs next year. The backfield is also occupied by the immensely talented Anderson, a top back who has fought injuries and who – if he is healthy – will challenge for the role behind Mixon.

SHORT-TERM EXPECTATIONS

He will not be a factor in 2019. If he is able to get five carries a game I would be very surprised – barring injury of course. Mixon is the workhorse and most talented back, Bernard has a secure role, and Williams could see some late work in games where the score dictates the game is out of hand. The Bengals will find a way to get him work to see if he can possibly take the role behind Mixon in case Bernard moves on after the season or is otherwise unavailable. The stat projection I have Williams at for 2019 is 75 touches for 325 yards and one touchdown.

LONG-TERM EXPECTATIONS

The long-term outlook isn’t much rosier. There is a path to some NFL relevance in the Queen City, but fantasy relevance is much less likely. Mixon is the lead back for the foreseeable future, unless the Bengals choose not to sign him long-term and he is out of the picture after 2020. Williams could slide into the backup role if he is able to hold off Anderson. I don’t see the Bengals extending Bernard beyond 2019, although they might be wise to do so; drafting two running backs signals his days with the Bengals are likely over soon. Williams could then be in line as the first backup, seeing carries as well as receptions behind Mixon and putting up statistics similar to Bernard. He doesn’t have the athletic profile to be an NFL lead back long-term yet he could, however, fill in for an period of time if needed, contributing to an NFL offense as the lead back.

NFL PLAYER COMPARISON

A comparison for Williams is particularly tricky. He is a back who does a lot good but nothing great, best suited for a complementary role. Danny Woodhead is a good comparison. Woodhead was able to take a few touches a game and excelled in the third-down role. The athletic profile similarity is also evident. Both played tough and were difficult to bring down in the open field. A similar career trajectory is likely, minus the injuries, such that he could be an NFL contributor for several years.

PROJECTED ROOKIE DRAFT RANGE

According to our Rookie ADP, Williams is currently 39.70 on average in May rookie mock drafts. He is currently the fifteenth running back drafted on average during rookie drafts. You could do worse than drafting Williams as a late dart throw who might help you with a few good games or stretches here and there.