Williams is a route-running technician who wins from the slot with tempo manipulation, hip fluidity, and an instinctive feel for finding soft spots in zone coverage — the kind of receiver who makes a quarterback's life easy on third-and-seven. He's not going to take the top off a defense or body a corner in a contested-catch situation, but his separation craft at the short and intermediate levels is among the best in this class, validated by PFF's 94th-percentile separation rate against single coverage. The durability question — two seasons with missed time due to lower-body injuries — is the elephant in the room and will likely push him down boards despite Day 2 talent. If the medicals check out, you're getting a plug-and-play slot starter who can anchor a quick-game passing attack, return punts, and give your offensive coordinator schematic versatility from Day 1; if they don't, you're investing a premium pick in a player whose frame may not survive NFL-level physicality.
- Elite route craft with tempo shifts, stem manipulation, and sharp breaks that consistently generate separation at all three levels
- Fearless over the middle of the field — zero hesitation working through traffic with excellent body control at the catch point
- High football IQ with natural feel for zone windows and ability to settle into soft spots as a sight-adjustment target for his quarterback
- Proven punt return value and gadget versatility (4-for-4 career passing, 7.48 YPC on designed runs) that expands what a coaching staff can do schematically
- Reliable hands with strong concentration through contact — ranked T-5th among Power Four WRs in drop rate (1.8%) in 2025
- Undersized frame (5-11, 187 lbs) limits catch radius and will struggle against physical press corners at the NFL level; benefited from rarely being pressed in college
- Durability is a legitimate red flag — missed games in 2023 (ankle/foot) and 2025 (hamstring), creating a pattern that NFL medical staffs will scrutinize
- Lacks true top-end speed to consistently win on vertical routes and take the top off a defense; fast but not a burner
- Has not shown the ability to be a true takeover receiver — exceeded 80 receiving yards in a game only four times in his career
Steelers Depot's comp and the one that fits best: a compact, twitchy slot receiver who wins with route running, willingness to go get the ball in risky windows, sure hands, and open-field elusiveness. Both are gadget-capable, return punts, and profile as high-floor slot starters who need a timing-based system to maximize their impact.