IDP Spotlight: DJ Williams (1 Viewer)

[Aaron Rudnicki]

2009 IDP Spotlight Series

One of Footballguys best assets is our message board community. The IDP Forum here has grown quickly over the past few years and is probably the best place on the internet to discuss, debate and analyze all things related to IDPs. In what we hope to make an annual tradition, the IDP Spotlight series will be a key part of our preseason effort this year. As many of you know from what has been done with offensive players over the years, we consider the Player Spotlight threads the permanent record for analyzing the fantasy prospects of the player in question. This year, we hope to publish IDP Spotlights for approximately 20-30 players, which should account for many of the most interesting IDP starters for this year and possibly years to come.

Each week we will post a list of players to be discussed. Those threads will remain open for the entire preseason, and should be a central point to discuss expectations for the player in question. Importantly, analysis done in the first week (or possibly longer) of posting will be part of the permanent record in two ways.

1) At the end of the week (or longer when necessary), we will tally the projections into a consensus.

2) We will select a number of pull quotes from forum contributors who make a compelling statement or observation. Both the projections and pull quotes will be part of a published article on the main website.

Thread Topic: DJ Williams, OLB, Denver Broncos

http://subscribers.footballguys.com/players/WillD.99-1.php

DJ Williams Player Page

Each published article will include:

Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules

In order for this thread to provide maximum value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

Focus commentary on the player or players in question, and your expectations for said player(s)
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, we request that you provide projections for the playerProjections should include the following categories at minimum:

For DLs: Solos, Assists, Sacks, PD
For LBs: Solos, Assists, Sacks, INT, PD
For DBs: Solos, Assists, Sacks, INT, PDNow let's get on with the conversation! We look forward to your contributions and let me offer a personal thanks in anticipation of the great debate and analysis.

 

[5Rings]

I love me some DJ this year. I think he has a legitmate shot of being LB1 overall.

I generally love LBs on bad teams, and boy oh boy do the Broncos fit the bill. This D has so little talent, DJ might get 200 tackles by midseason. Seriously...I see many parallels between DJ this year and Patrick Willis in the last few years:

*DJ is in the prime 3-4 WILB spot

*DJ has no competition for tackles from a weak LB corps

*Denver is a poor team and I see them likely losing the TOP battle = more tackle opportunities

*Denver DL won't steal tackles

The negative is his health--can he last 16 games?

Not many big plays, but the dude will be cleaning up all year long.

Solos, Assists, Sacks, INT, PD

120 35 1 1 2

 

[Jene Bramel]

There's a strong statistical argument that the WILB in a 1-gap 3-4 front (which Mike Nolan has favored when he's run the 3-4) is a very favorable position for tackle production. Keith Brooking, Ray Lewis and Patrick Willis have all racked up tackles from that spot in recent years. Knock D.J. Williams for his questionable instincts if you want, but you can't ignore his athleticism, which will serve him well in this role, or his recent history of production when he's been an every-down player. It's another perfect storm of sorts -- a favorable role on a defense likely to see well above-average tackle opportunity with no obvious competition for tackles from his teammates. I'd expand my stud LB tier to include him as the fourth wheel (with Ruud, Willis and Beason) if not for durability concerns and the small chance that Nolan uses enough 4-3 in the base defense to cut down on some opportunity.

Projection: 108 solos, 31 assists, 2 sacks, 2 FF/FR, 1 INT, 3 PD

 

[MAC_32]

I see a repeat of Jonathan Vilma's clash with the 3-4...maybe not that severely, but enough that I'd pass or be selling high.

 

[bigal0303]

DJ Williams is defintley a ball hawk but you have to be a extreme elite backer in a 3-4 i had willis last year and he is elite dj williams has injury issues and a defense who if healthy may give tackles to other backers plus the acquisition of Brian Dawkins a tackle specialist i think dj falls a little. Yes he would be a stud in a 4-3

 

[Birdie048]

I see a repeat of Jonathan Vilma's clash with the 3-4...maybe not that severely, but enough that I'd pass or be selling high.

I am leary of him returning to 100% after his injury last year..... coming up blank on what it was and that he has not been cleared medically to participate yet is not a good sign. I might be just a formality, but he could not join the OTA's (watched from sideline). Positives:

Talent (2004 #17 pick)

Physical attributes (6'1" 242 lbs)

Age (27 next week)

Soft NT (Fields is 5th round talent)

Negatives:

Andra Davis next to him

Injury History / Recovery

Team Turmoil

New Coaches

No big play ability (2 Int & 6 sacks in 5 yr career)

In Tackle heavy leagues, he could/should be Top 15. In leagues with scoring of big play bonues, he drops to mid-20 value. He just does not excite me as a great value. Will he last 16 games in a new scheme? Too many questions IMO.

Projection:

84 tackles

24 assists

0.5 sack

0 Int

2 PD

 

[bcr8f]

I love me some DJ this year. I think he has a legitmate shot of being LB1 overall. I generally love LBs on bad teams, and boy oh boy do the Broncos fit the bill. This D has so little talent, DJ might get 200 tackles by midseason.

Now this is some stuff. I like him this year in that scheme too. He may get that tackle 8 yards downfield but get them I think he will. 118 solos 30 assists 2 sacks 10 PD, 2 FF.

 

[Buffaloes]

I love me some DJ this year. I think he has a legitmate shot of being LB1 overall.

I generally love LBs on bad teams, and boy oh boy do the Broncos fit the bill. This D has so little talent, DJ might get 200 tackles by midseason.

Now this is some stuff. I like him this year in that scheme too. He may get that tackle 8 yards downfield but get them I think he will.

118 solos 30 assists 2 sacks 10 PD, 2 FF.

This has pretty much been par for the course the past few years for Williams. Unfortunately, the DL does not look as if it has improved so Williams may have to deal with more congestion while in 3-4 sets. It's not clear how often the team will play out of an odd front but I would think that Williams' production might take a slight hit when they do. That being said, he is a tackle machine and should still be a top option in tackle heavy leagues due to the fact he is a 3-down LB and has the luxury of playing Will in the 4-3 and WILB in the 3-4. A steady performance in tackle heavy leagues can be expected IMO.I'll say around 100 solos, 35 assists, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles.

 

[massraider]

I see a repeat of Jonathan Vilma's clash with the 3-4...maybe not that severely, but enough that I'd pass or be selling high.

I really didn't even think about that. A valid concern. Denver safeties might be the ones to get.

 

[Jene Bramel]

I see a repeat of Jonathan Vilma's clash with the 3-4...maybe not that severely, but enough that I'd pass or be selling high.

I really didn't even think about that. A valid concern. Denver safeties might be the ones to get.

I don't think there's much chance of a Vilma-like fall. DJ Williams has better size, hasn't shown any signs of whining about a position change (which he's done nearly every season of his career now), will play in a more friendly 3-4 scheme and his shoulder injury isn't likely to have the impact that Vilma's knee injury did.