As part of the Green Bay Packers’ overhaul at safety, the team used a draft pick on Oregon’s Evan Williams. A fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Williams was garnering a lot of attention from teams around the league. But, it was the Packers who came away with him.
The opportunity to get on the field early and often will be there for Evan Williams in 2024. The only safety brought back from 2023 is Anthony Johnson Jr., who was a seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
As things currently stand, the only player with a surefire role is Xavier McKinney, who the team paid handsomely in free agency. Given his versatility, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley will have the opportunity to mix and match around him based on the opponent’s personnel.
It will be a competition people keep a close eye on during the 2024 offseason. Along with Evan Williams, the Green Bay Packers selected Javon Bullard and Kitan Oladapo in the second and fifth rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft.
But, one of Williams’ coaches at Oregon believes that his former player will find success at the next level. When speaking to Packers Central, Oregon co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Chris Hampton revealed what to expect from Williams that will set him apart.
“I think because of his football IQ and his business-like approach,” Hampton said. “He’s not a guy that’s going to get to the NFL and then change his work habits. He’s an unbelievable worker. So, I think he’s going to last.
“I’ve had quite a few DBs who made it and this guy’s got it. He’s got the work ethic, the resiliency. He’s smart, he’s tough, he’s instinctive, he can tackle. He’s going to be a great communicator on the field. I think he’s an NFL safety. He can blitz, he’s going to be able to tackle in the open field, make all the checks. He’s going to be a great special teams player. He’s going to play for a long time. I wish we had him again.”
Excelling on special teams is one way for Evan Williams to get on the field early with the Packers. Given the talent in the team’s secondary, becoming a standout special teams player would go a long way in helping him stand out. Green Bay has a history of turning special team contributors into full-time contributors on offense or defense as well.
