Alabama's Jonah Williams is arguably the best offensive line prospect in the draft. He's played tackle his whole career for the Tide and has expressed he'd like to stay at the position. By the same token, he's also said that he'll do whatever NFL teams want him to do, and that very well may mean a move inside to guard.
That potential position change stems in part from his arm length, which measured 33 and 5/8 inches, considered short for a position in which leverage on opposing defenders is key. Still, Williams himself insists he's a tackle and seems to want to prove that he is. That's a chip on a shoulder if I've ever heard of one.
In college, Williams played as a true freshman in 2016 for the Crimson Tide – initially at right tackle. He made two freshman All-American Teams that year as well as the All-SEC Freshman team. He started every game from that season on, switching to left tackle as a sophomore and culminating with a unanimous All-American selection in 2018 as a junior. He won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy last season, voted on by coaches and given to the best offensive linemen in the SEC and was a finalist for the Outland Trophy, given to the nation's top interior offensive lineman and the Lombardi Award, given to the nation's best player regardless of position.
NFL.com has Williams graded at a 6.30. That's instant-starter material, despite his so-called lack of size for the tackle position. Here's draft analyst Lance Zierlein:
"Early entrant and three-year starter whose work ethic, attention to detail and desire to get better each day have made him a foundation piece of Alabama's dominant run. Like his idol, Joe Thomas, Williams uses angles, technique and body control to succeed in all facets of the game. He looked more comfortable in his pass sets at left tackle in his final year and he has the tools necessary to counter bigger, longer edge defenders despite a lack of ideal size and length for the left tackle spot. His cerebral nature and potential versatility should make him a safe pick and successful, long-time starter in the NFL."
