Storyline: Unsigned free agent, Karlos Williams, has the talent to be a top 15 NFL running. Pittsburgh would be wise to sign him. Written by Conor O’Leary, Dublin, Ireland and on Facebook.
This week the Baltimore Ravens released Justin Forsett, adding to the number of quality free-agent running backs still out there. It’s amazing how the likes of Zac Stacy, Joseph Randle, and Andre Williams are still unsigned, while Joique Bell and Dri Archer have roster spots.
Courtesy: Fox Sports
But the most talented free agent out there is Karlos Williams. Williams was fantastic as a rookie for the Buffalo Bills in 2015. The fifth-round pick out of Florida State managed nine touchdowns–seven rushing and two receiving in 11 games as a backup to LeSean McCoy. He even had a rushing average of 5.6 yards per carry and scored a touchdown in each of his first six NFL games.
Williams is a talent and deserves another shot in the NFL. Granted, his offseason wasn’t brilliant, showing up out of shape. He subsequently got suspended for violating the league’s policy on substances of abuse. But Williams’ talent shines through.
Remember – he only moved to running back in his third spot in college. Previously he had been a returner and backup safety. He was never a starter either. Dalvin Cook appeared just as he was beginning to come to grips with the position.
But Williams is the real deal. He’s big and strong enough to plow through tackles. He has soft hands to catch the ball out of the backfield. And he’s fast … really fast. He was extremely productive in a limited role, and can only get better as he gets used to the NFL.
There’s a lot of tread left on the tires and he might come cheap to an NFL team looking to take a punt–someone like the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers were one of the teams that worked out Williams after he was released from Buffalo. His brother, Vince, is on the team.
Courtesy: zimbio.com
From an outside perspective the Steelers don’t need any more running backs. Le’Veon Bell is one of the best in the league and his backup, DeAngelo Williams, has shown that he’s the best back-up in the game. I’m even a fan of David Cobb, who’s on the practice squad.
Yet Bell and Williams are just two of the 14 Steelers players that will be unrestricted free agents at the end of the season and Pittsburgh isn’t flush with cap space. Granted, it’s likely that some players, like James Harrison, Lawrence Timmons, either Landry Jones or Bruce Gradkowski, and possible Jarvis Jones might depart, but that still doesn’t ensure that Bell and/or Williams will be on the 2017 opening roster.
In fact, there’s a case to be made that neither Bell nor Williams will be there, in which case Pittsburgh will be left with David Cobb, Fitzgerald Toussaint, and practice squad member, Daryl Richardson, as their three running backs. None of them is of the same calibre as Karlos Williams.
Will DeAngelo Williams return in 2017? It’s unlikely. He’ll be 34-years old and he’s already the oldest running back in the league. The only reason to keep him would be as a safety net should Bell leave. Even still, DeAngelo’s $2.5 million salary would be better spent on Karlos Williams, who’s a superior player.
Is Bell going to stay in Pittsburgh? That’s far from a guarantee. In his four years in the league two have ended with serious knee injuries and two have started with Bell suspended for drug reasons. On the field we know he’s good. He may even demand more than Pittsburgh is willing to give somebody with his injury history and off-field issues.
Courtesy: mydailynews.com
Should the Steelers decide they can do without the headache of Bell, they have the opportunity to draft a first-round running back in the 2017 draft, but that’s not ideal, especially given the questions over their pass rush and linebackers. Which means the other option is to sign a replacement.
There are some talented running backs who’ll be free agents in the off-season, but there’s no guarantee that any of them will reach the open market or that they will be as cheap as signing Karlos Williams right now. Karlos Williams has been a free agent for the last four weeks. His suspension has now been served. He may be overweight, but that’s OK, Le’Veon Bell and DeAngelo Williams will be there for the rest of the season. But if either goes down like last year, I’d much rather have Karlos Williams coming in than Cobb, Toussaint, or Richardson.
I know Karlos Williams isn’t as good as Bell, Murray, McCaffrey or Chubb, but he’s not far behind. He’s got the talent and the ability to be a top 15 running back in this league. He just doesn’t have the opportunity.
Come on Steelers, you know it makes sense!
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Published previously Why Karlos Williams would be a smart move for the Pittsburgh Steelers at The Roar.
