Throughout the Green Bay Packers’ first four games, the coaches have emphasized getting rookie fourth-round pick Evan Williams more opportunities on the field.
As with many young players, the opportunity came due to an injury. With Jaire Alexander out, the Packers played Keisean Nixon as an outside corner instead of in the slot. They also moved Javon Bullard from safety to the slot and used Williams as a starter at safety instead of as a rotational piece. As a result, Williams played in all of the Packers’ 78 defensive snaps (his previous high was 20). The result? Williams had one of the top performances at safety in the NFL in Week 5.
Matt LaFleur took notice and assessed Williams’ performance.
“I think he did a lot of good things,” LaFleur said. “I think the versatility we have in the secondary is a huge luxury. I don’t think a lot of teams have as many guys as we have that we feel confident in to put into the game and play winning football. I think he definitely did that yesterday.”
Williams’ versatility was on display on Sunday. He lined up nine snaps in the slot, 19 in the box, and 46 at free safety. He was all over the field. I loved the play below, where Williams played the single-high deep safety, and Xavier McKinney played the slot.
The fun part about the play is having McKinney and his elite tackling ability be down as box safety and showing his versatility to play in different looks. For Williams, it also shows that the Packers are willing to play him as the post safety and have McKinney be a Swiss army knife.
After the game, McKinney gave both Williams and Bullard kudos, saying, “Bull and Evan, both special players. Special for our team and special in the league. They’re super smart and able to play both sides. Both safeties, they can play the nickel position, they can play the dime back position. So, just their versatility between them has given us all opportunities to be in different places and make plays from different areas.”
Another great example came when the Los Angeles Rams were in the red zone and on the verge of scoring. McKinney motioned Williams to cover a crosser so he could pick up the motion tight-end and prevent an easy slant for a touchdown.
The impressive element here is the communication and confidence between McKinney, Williams, Bullard, and Nixon to cover up the primary targets and force a turnover on downs in a critical fourth-down situation. While McKinney and Nixon ultimately defend the targeted receiver, Williams and Bullard pick up the two receivers crossing the middle of the field and cover them well.
Then, on the final play of the game, Williams had his best moment of the day in providing sticky coverage on a tight end and getting his hand in to break up a pass.
After the game, Williams elaborated on the play. “They had run it so many times,” he said. “I didn’t think he was gonna try to break out and try to make a long throw, so yeah, I was kinda just sitting on it. He broke back in, was able to get my hand in there, and celebrated with the crowd.”
It’s an encouraging development to see a rookie like Williams be able to translate study in the film room to the field and make a tangible impact on the game. It’s a positive indicator that he needs to have more opportunities. Additionally, Bullard’s versatility makes it possible for Williams, Bullard, and McKinney, all safeties in name, to be on the field.
Green Bay’s defense is in an enviable position on the backend. The versatility of these defenders allows them all to flourish, and I’m looking forward to seeing Williams continue to flourish, likely as the starting safety next to X.
