The Green Bay Packers may want to consider adding a satellite campus in town for the Ohio State Buckeyes. It will make it even easier for draft prospects such as defensive tackle Tyleik Williams to visit.
FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported Wednesday the Packers were one of several teams who have hosted Williams for a pre-draft visit. The Packers have hosted three Ohio State draft prospects this week.
“Williams is regarded as one of the top run-defending defensive linemen in this class, and is projected to go in the late first or early second-round,” tweeted Schultz.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein also touted Williams for his run defense.
“Drain-clogging run defender with violent first contact and nimble feet for impressive tackle production,” Zierlein wrote. “Williams flashes an ability to play through or around the block. He physically dominates man-on-man matchups but inconsistent pad level and shorter arms hinder his double-team take-ons.
“He needs to focus on developing his hands to keep longer NFL guards from getting into him and neutralizing his power. Williams should pressure the pocket from time to time but might not win on his own enough to see many third-down reps.
“The knock-back pop and ability to eat up runners in his general vicinity could help him become an impactful, run-stuffing three-technique.”
In four seasons at Ohio State, Williams posted 136 combined tackles, including 28 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. The Buckeyes defensive lineman also had 10 pass defenses.
Last year, Williams registered 46 combined tackles, eight tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
Packers Meet With Another Ohio State Prospect, Defensive Linemen Tyleik Williams
It’s not shocking that any NFL team wants to scout as many players from the reigning national champions as possible. But the Packers appear pretty set on targeting Ohio State players early in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Besides Williams, Green Bay met with Buckeyes offensive tackle Josh Simmons and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka this week. On the NFL draft big boards from both NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah and ESPN, Simmons and Egbuka are top 35 prospects.
Some projections have Williams being selected in the top 35 picks as well. But Williams was not among Jeremiah’s top 50 prospects when he ranked them again on April 2.
At ESPN, Williams is ranked the No. 68 overall player in the upcoming draft.
“He is an outstanding run stopper who stacks blockers and drives them back. He locates the ball and sheds blocks in time to make the play,” wrote ESPN’s Steve Muench. “He slips blocks and gets into the backfield. Williams is big and strong enough to occupy double-teams.
“He stays in his lane, pushes the pocket and gets off blocks late rushing the passer. He makes it tough for blockers to latch onto his frame and gets his hands up in passing lanes.”
How Williams Could Fit With the Packers
The Packers finally made a leap in run defense during the 2024 season, finishing seventh in rushing yards allowed.
But Green Bay lost former fifth-round pick T.J. Slaton, who grew into one of the team’s top run defenders in 2024, to free agency. Slayton signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.
It’s likely the Packers will look to find Slaton’s replacement in the draft. Williams is a great option because of his run-stopping ability.
The Ohio State product isn’t as polished a pass rusher, but if the Packers view adding a defensive lineman strong in run defense as a priority, few prospects will be better than Williams.
His best statistical season with the Buckeyes was his junior year. In 2023, Williams had 3 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and five pass defenses.
