Raiders NFL Draft Prospect: LB Dorian Williams, Tulane

The Las Vegas Raiders are entering free agency with the third most salary cap in the NFL, but they have made it clear that they will continue to rebuild via the 2023 NFL Draft.

An area where the Raiders need to upgrade is the linebacker position and fortunately for Las Vegas, they can do so by selecting the Cotton Bowl Defensive MVP, Tulane linebacker Dorian Williams.

“The defenses are different. There's more complex, I'd say, defensive schematic game at the NFL level. And so, again, that goes just into someone's ability to learn, someone's work ethic, and did they have the tools both from a personal and a mental skill set to put the work in to learn it,” Raiders General Manager Dave Ziegler said during the NFL Combine.

Linebacker Dorian Williams, Tulane Green Wave

“Williams is a leader for Tulane’s defense who combines his high motor with a good closing burst, but he struggles to shed blocks and hasn’t mastered how to handle assignments in man coverage,” Draft Bible said of Williams.

Ziegler is looking to add players whose worth ethic on the field matches the responsibility on and off the field, and Williams fits perfectly.

Williams was a natural leader and productive player last season for the Green Wave, totaling 131 tackles (81 solos), 8.5 tackles for losses, five sacks, and two interceptions.

He was the rock on defense that led Tulane to a 12-2 record last season and capped off with an impressive Cotton Bowl victory over USC.

Williams is not a polished linebacker, athletically looks very raw but he is a well-rounded defender.

Williams is a reliable tackler, rarely missing tackles (8.3 percent), and understands his assignments.

At 6-2 and 230 pounds, Williams ran an impressive 4.49 in the 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine (fourth-fastest among linebackers).

On tape, Williams plays his best football covering tight ends and running backs but is also capable of rushing the quarterback at times.

Williams would be a great fit under Raiders Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham, who can utilize his set of skills across the middle and develop him into a starting linebacker in a few years.

In one of the best tight ends classes in years, the Raiders are well in a position to draft the Green Waves' defensive MVP.

The NFL Draft will occur at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo., from Thursday, April 27 to Saturday, April 29. ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network will broadcast all seven rounds.

March 13-15 is the free agent negotiation period. Starting at 12 p.m. EDT on March 13 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. EDT on March 15, clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2022 Player Contracts at 4 p.m. EDT on March 15.

The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period begins at 4 p.m. EDT on March 15. The Raiders are expected to be significant players in the free-agent market this season.

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