Washington Football Team: James Smith-Williams ready for increased role

When he was drafted, many questioned the selection of James Smith-Williams by the Washington Football Team. Why would you select another defensive lineman, especially one who lacked production in college?

Eventually, though, it became quite clear why Smith-Williams was the pick. Despite his lack of production at NC State, he had clear untapped athletic potential. At the 2020 NFL Combine, Smith-Williams posted a 4.6 40 and 28 reps on the bench press.

Smith-Williams is very accomplished off the field as well, as he has a job ready for him at IBM when his playing days are over. In his senior year at NC State, he got awarded the number one, which is awarded to an accomplished football player that displays quality leadership, ethics, and character.

Furthermore, Smith-Williams is a player that provides another one of Ron Rivera’s key traits: position flexibility. For most of James Smith-Williams’s career at NC State, he played on a four-down front as a true edge defender. In his senior year, the scheme was changed to more of a 3-3-5.

This caused Smith-Williams to change the way he attacked the opposing linemen. He faced more double teams and sometimes was kicked more inside. That, and a senior season plagued with injuries, could explain why Smith-Williams had lackluster production.

In his rookie year with the Washington Football Team, Smith-Williams did not receive much playing time on defense. He did record his first career sack against his former college teammate, Ryan Finlay. Smith-Williams had his true impact on special teams, where he performed admirably, receiving praise from Nick Sundberg and special teams coach Nate Kaczor.

Essentially, it’s clear Smith-Williams fits the bill of what Ron Rivera wants his football players to be. And Rivera has affirmed twice at training camp that he likes the skillset of Smith-Williams.

After a solid rookie season, here is more on what to expect from the 6-foot-4, 265-pound physical specimen in his second year in the NFL.

James Smith-Williams is ready to fill the Ryan Kerrigan role.

Reading that above statement may be a bewildering one to read. The 2020 seventh-round pick taking the place of the franchise’s all-time sack leader. Get out of here.

First, let’s reframe what version of Ryan Kerrigan Washington got in 2020. This was not the Pro Bowl version of Kerrigan that the team had seen in years prior. Kerrigan was a prototypical situational pass rusher. He was not a liability but he was clearly on a downward trajectory.

That is why now the seventh-round selection of James Smith-Williams makes perfect sense. Draft a player with physical upside and high character. In his rookie year, let him develop by sitting behind talented pass rushers in year 1. Then, give him a bigger role in his second year.

That is clearly the plan for James Smith-Williams. As Ron Rivera noted in his press conference today, there is still more work to do, but Smith-Williams is well on his way to locking up the edge number three role.

He got some reps with the first-team defensive line on Wednesday, a key trend to follow in training camp.

So what should fans expect from James Smith-Williams? Fans should expect to see a player that is considerably improved as a pass rusher in year two. In the team drills, Smith-Williams has wreaked havoc against the second-team offensive line. He has beaten 2020 fourth-round pick, Saahdiq Charles, on a number of occasions.

And furthermore, you should still expect to see Smith-Williams be a key contributor on special teams, where he thrived last year.

This by no means is a signal that Washington would not take a considerable step down without Chase Young or Montez Sweat, but, the level of drop-off is not as wide a delta as it may seem.  Smith-Williams needs to prove it first but he has the physical tools and character to be just a capable rotational player on the edge.

He can be a solid pass rusher to give Sweat and Young a respite when it is needed. And Smith-Williams also has the frame to be a more stable run defender than Kerrigan.

Do not expect prime Ryan Kerrigan, but Smith-Williams looks poised to take a big step up in year two. He could prove to be a key factor, especially if Sweat or Young miss time for any reason. The depth behind them is nothing to write home about.

The selection of Kam Curl has already paid off in a huge way and the other selection, James Smith-Williams, seems ready to contribute more in his second year.