Can Williams make the leap to the NFL level?
The New York Giants’ offensive line is a constant concern among the fanbase.
They added to their depth in free agency, but only added a single lineman in the 2025 NFL Draft. They also added just one lineman in undrafted free agency, going far off the beaten path in signing Jaison Williams out of Youngstown State.
Williams has spent the last two seasons at right tackle for the Penguins, but has also started games at left and right guard earlier in his college career.
Can Williams make the leap from the FCS level to the NFL?
What does he bring?
Williams is definitely an under-the-radar prospect. He’s played both left and right guard, as well as starting a significant number of games at right tackle.
He has solid size at 6-foot-4, 320 pounds, though we don’t know how long his arms are. Williams has quick feet and is a surprisingly easy mover for a 320-pound lineman, which is what has allowed him to play tackle. He’s able to mirror speed (at his level) off the edge, as well as redirect to block inside moves.
Williams is a pretty reliable pass protector, either through winning at the point of attack or through a second effort. He has impressive play strength and was able to create movement as a run blocker. Williams has enough power to block downhill as a man-gap blocker, as well as the movement skills for zone blocking.
That said, Williams’ footwork is definitely an issue at this point in his development. He has quick feet, but uses very choppy steps when moving laterally. That can leave him off balance when engaging, prevent him from anchoring immediate, or force him to lunge into contact.
Can he stick?
Realistically, Williams’ best chance of sticking with the Giants is on the practice squad.
It’s certainly possible that he’ll acclimate quickly to the NFL and force his way onto the roster, but FCS players usually need to truly dominate their level of competition to have a shot at making an NFL roster.
Williams has some intriguing traits between his quick feet and play strength, and he could turn some heads once shells go on in practice. His listed height and weight suggest that a move inside to guard may be in order, though right now we don’t know how long his arms are.
A move to guard could also help mitigate the concerns around his footwork. Williams has light, quick feet, but that tendency to step rather than slide — as well as lunge into contact — could get him in trouble against NFL pass rushers. He’d have very good feet for a guard, and his play strength would work well inside.
Spending a year on the practice squad while he transitions to guard could bear dividends.
