Seth

Williams

Williams was the 219th overall pick in this year’s draft but was unable to crack a top-heavy receiver depth chart in Denver. The rookie has a solid blend of size and speed and figures to draw some interest on the waiver wire.

Williams made an immediate impact with 26/534/5 as an 18-year-old freshman against SEC competition and finished his three-year career ranked No. 3 in school history with 17 touchdown grabs. Although he tested as a nice 69th percentile athlete at Auburn’s pro day, Williams struggled to produce in 2020 — perhaps from poor play under center — when facing elite opponents in Alabama (3/17), Georgia (3/34), and South Carolina (4/74) and inexplicably totaled 16 drops over his career. His intriguing combination of size (6'3/211) and speed (4.49 40-time) still project Williams as a viable possession receiver in the NFL. The Broncos have invested heavily in recent years which doesn’t bode well for Williams’ odds of making the final roster. He will likely spend his first year as a pro on Denver’s practice squad.

Williams weighed in at 6-foot-3, 211 pounds so his 40-yard dash time is considered to be a solid showing considering his size. The Auburn wideout also registered a 37" vertical jump, a 10-4 broad jump and 12 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. He looks to have helped his case for a late-Day 2, early-Day 3 selection and projects at the next level as a possession type receiver with starter upside.

“Auburn wide receiver Seth Williams has the ideal physical profile to be a coveted player in the 2021 NFL Draft,” Hodgkinson wrote in his analysis. “At 6’2″ and 225 pounds, he is an imposing physical player whose natural size makes him a monster in several aspects of the wide receiver position. He may be closer to 6’3″, at least that is the impression you get from how he plays.” Williams (6'2/225) doesn’t have the numbers that many expect to see from a highly-regarded wide receiver prospect, but some of the blame for this could be assigned to inconsistent play at the quarterback position. In theory, that shouldn’t be an issue for Williams at the next level. What also doesn’t help Williams is the depth of this wide receiver class, which projects to be absolutely loaded. Some draft analysts view Williams as a Day 2/3 prospect heading into the spring.

Williams (6'3/211) has been one of the least efficient receivers in the nation this season. In 10 games this year he has received 90 targets, catching only 42 for a ghastly 46.7% catch rate. Bo Nix’s poor passing acumen certainly didn’t help, but that can only explain so much, as Williams dropped eight of 50 catchable passes for an unacceptable 16% drop rate. The junior wideout possesses the size and athleticism to make some highlight reel worthy contested catches down the sideline, but he also makes too many mental errors and takes plays off. Williams projects as a late Day 2 - early Day 3 selection.

10 different players caught at least one pass for Auburn on Friday. Williams, the team’s leading receiver on the year, was the only one to catch at least five passes. Williams (6'3/211) actually came just short of the team lead in yardage for the day, but was still a core function of Auburn’s passing game with regards to keeping the chains moving. Alas, Auburn’s run game and defense fell apart, so Williams’ efforts were for naught. Williams finished the year with 47 catches for 760 yards and four touchdowns.

Williams (6'3/211) was having a solid game regardless, but it became one of his best games as a Tiger because of when that touchdown was scored. From 42-yards out, the junior wideout caught a beautiful back shoulder pass from Bo Nix and made the turn upfield to score the game-winning touchdown with 1:11 left. It’s the second time this year he’s gone over 100 yards, and he has scored three touchdowns on the season -- two of those in the opener against Kentucky. Williams is an NFL talent, and he’ll have a chance to do more damage next Saturday against LSU.

Williams (6'3/211) was injured late in last weekend’s 27-6 loss at Georgia, with Kobe Hudson replacing him in the lineup at the time. The junior wide receiver appears to be good to go for Saturday’s game against the Razorbacks, which is good news for QB Bo Nix and the rest of the Auburn offense.

Auburn HC Gus Malzahn did not give any details during his postgame press conference, but whatever Stove (6'0/188) was dealing with was serious enough to prevent him from returning. The redshirt junior did not accumulate any offensive stats Saturday night, after catching four passes for 55 yards and a touchdown in Auburn’s season-opening win over Kentucky. The Tigers could be down two wideouts for next week’s game against Arkansas, as Seth Williams had to exit during the fourth quarter due to a lower body injury.

Williams (6'3/211), who finished the game with three receptions and 34 receiving yards, limped off the field after running for a deep ball during the fourth quarter. Freshman Kobe Hudson replaced the junior standout at the time, and should Williams have to miss any action it’s likely that Hudson will be the one who’s asked to fill the void. Next up for Auburn is an October 10 home game against Arkansas.