Should Baltimore Ravens draft Dorian Williams?

The Baltimore Ravens may be looking to draft a linebacker in the 2023 NFL draft. Is Tulane linebacker Dorian Williams a name to keep an eye on?

Baltimore Ravens Draft Profile: Tulane LB Dorian Williams

Dorian Williams got onto the field for the Green Wave late into his true freshman season. He came back in 2020 and had an All-Conference season as a true sophomore. Williams hit a bump in the road in 2021. Still, Williams was a part of a team that went from two wins in 2021 to a 12-win season and a Cotton Bowl win over USC.

Williams had 44 pressures during his career, and 22 of them came in 2022. He had 54 run stops and his passer rating allowed went from 122.8 to 67.1. Williams finished his career with 2,030 snaps, playing as the MIKE and WILL linebacker. Dorian Williams went to the Senior Bowl as well as the NFL combine.

He is short and thin, but the NFL is trending that way with linebackers. One way he makes up for that is the length and speed.

How Dorian Williams projects to the NFL

Any team drafting him will be considering him as a the WILL linebacker. He played off of the edge and was a blitzing linebacker because the team needed him. However, he is much better as a coverage linebacker than a run defender.

In coverage, he makes up ground fast, and his length overcomes his lack of height as he sheilds passing lanes over the middle of the field. Williams breaks on the football quickly and can get sideline to sideline as well as downhill to make plays in the flats.

Still, he does not have the same instincts in the box. When he is late to read things, he can get washed out. As a floor, he can also contribute on special teams.

NFL Comparison for Dorian Williams

The best NFL comparison for Dorian Williams is Kwon Alexander.

They have very similar athletic and physical attributes. Alexander had a nice career as a coverage linebacker, but the injuries started to take away from his play. Beyond that, he always was best next to a bigger linebacker such as Lavonte David, who can play downhill.

Should Baltimore Ravens draft Dorian Williams?

The Baltimore Ravens need linebacker depth. Beyond that, if they do not extend Patrick Queen, they could draft his replacement. Dorian Williams has the potential to be that. With Roquan Smith next to him, Queen has been better as the run-and-chase player. Still, they do not want to pay both Smith and Queen, so they could have Williams come in and fill that role.

According to Mock Draft Database he is a projected fourth round pick. That would be the perfect time for the Baltimore Ravens to look his way.