1) Introduction: If the Packers do decide to part ways with Jermichael Finley (a “50/50” proposition at this point according to the tight end himself), his replacement as the starter could already be on the roster. 2011 fifth round draft pick D.J. Williams may very well find himself as Finley’s successor. Despite being such a late pick, Williams intrigued the Packers enough to keep him on the roster for 2012. Williams is able to line up all over the field including the backfield. He’s also been a part of the Packers’ special teams.
2) Profile:
David Edward Williams Jr.
- Age: 24
- Born: 09/10/1988, in Fort Worth, TX
- Height: 6’2”
- Weight: 245
- Rookie Year: 2011
- NFL Experience: 2 years
(3) Expectations coming into the season: Minimal. With Finley as the starter and Tom Crabtree as a backup, Williams didn’t have the weight of expectations on his shoulders as he continued to develop. A strong training camp however had many thinking Williams would present a strong challenge to Finley but that never fully materialized and Finley was the starter for the season. Other than that, Williams was expected to improve in his second season and give the Packers another viable option should Finley go down with injury.
4) Player’s highlights/low-lights: Once again, pretty much non-existent for either one given he played 240 snaps all season. Williams was limited to mainly special teams play but did get some work in the passing game as well. He is a decent pass blocker but he is a better receiver and had 7 receptions for 57 yards. Williams’ best game was in the blowout victory over the Titans when he had three catches for 20 yards.
5) Player’s contribution to the overall team success: If Williams did anything this season, it was consistently improve in practice enough that it perhaps pushed Finley to get his act together. Williams’ special teams work enabled the unit to improve. He was only active for 13 games, but perhaps his greatest contributions to the team are yet to come.
6) Player’s contributions in the playoffs: None. The Packers featured Finley more in their game plan so Williams saw very little of the field.
Season Report Card:
(C) Level of expectations met during the season
(C) Contributions to team’s overall success.
(N/A) Contributions to team during the playoffs
Overall Grade: C
——————Kris Burke is a sports writer covering the Green Bay Packers for AllGreenBayPackers.com and WTMJ in Milwaukee. He is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) and his work has been linked to by sites such as National Football Post and CBSSports.com. Follow @KrisLBurke
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Came in with a lot of fanfare. Never performed at that level. If Quarles is healthy he might not make the squad. They need Crabtree’s blocking more than DJ’s dropping. Hey that rhimes.
rhymes
Read somewhere, last week that Crabtree did really poorly this year run blocking. Finley rated better as a run blocker than Crabtree did per PFF. So if thats the case I have to believe his roster spot is in jeopardy more so than Williams is. Williams has turned into a decent blocker, too bad his recieving skills haven’t developed. Right now I think Williams would have a job before Crabtree based on blocking.
I liked the draft pick when thompson got him in the 5th round but who knows if he ever develops. They said he had the best hands in college football, never saw anything resembling excellent hands.
Time for another young flower to blossom.
Better to have him in camp and competing than being cut from the second team in 10 days like titus young. Oh the lowly lions really do suck.
Titus got picked up by St L. After Fisher talked to him a couple times StL decided to release him w/in a matter of a couple days. Guys too much of an idiot even keep a job it seems.
I’m no fan of Finley, but C;mon, if he gets a “C” Williams should get a D-. He’s been a big disappointment to date. Williams was still 4th on the depth chart and is throwing away a golden opportunity to replace Finley when the Packers part ways with JF in 2014.
The TE situation in Green Bay is far from satisfactory imo. Williams can’t seem to be a viable replacement for Finley when on the field(too many “drops”).
It seems to me that D.J. Williams has not been given much oppotunity to show what he can do. He was awesome in training camp, but he was not given much of a chance during the regular season – at least as far as catching the football is concerned. He did, however, show huge improvement as a blocker. I think this young man has the talent to compete in the NFL. His time has not yet come, but when it does – look out!