The Panthers have said they’d like to find a running back to pair with Christian McCaffrey. Is James Williams the right fit for that role?" />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteCat Scratch Readera Carolina Panthers communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsAboutPanthersOddsShopStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Keep Sounding PodcastPanthers 2019 NFL DraftCSR Film RoomFiled under:Carolina Panthers Film RoomPanthers 2019 NFL DraftFilm room scouting report on Washington State running back James WilliamsNew https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/David-Mayo-Jersey ,28commentsThe Panthers have said they’d like to find a running back to pair with Christian McCaffrey. Is James Williams the right fit for that role?ESTShareTweetShareShareFilm room scouting report on Washington State running back James WilliamsKirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsJames Williams was a three year starter at Burbank High in Burbank, California. He was a consensus three star recruit according to Rivals and ESPN. Williams was a three year starting running back for Mike Leach’s Air Raid scheme. He finishes his career with 1539 rushing yards, 1437 receiving yards, and 27 total touchdowns. Williams’ athletic performance at the NFL Combine placed him in the 37.2nd percentile according to SPARQ. Film reviewA common comparison for James Williams is New England running back James White. Given the importance of the passing game in today’s NFL, finding a running back who can add value as a receiver is critical. Williams made his name in Mike Leach’s scheme in this role. As a runner, Williams is just as effective. The first thing that stands out is how nonchalant he is when contact arrives. He is not only elusive https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/Devin-Funchess-Jersey , but his strength not to go down on first contact is intriguing. Williams might not have similar burst to some of the top prospects, but he has ideal fluidity and change of pace to run through holes.Williams didn’t run a diverse set of routes for the Cougars. He typically found himself open on swing routes and Texas (angle) routes, which are staples of the route tree for the Panthers’ running backs. More often than not, Williams made his money on lead draw concepts. Of course the holes on each of these runs is sizable, but executing many of these runs also helps his transition. This ties it full circle with his comparison to James White. White also happens to be a productive receiver, but he has been useful on lead draw run concepts. Plays like this are how Williams should be utilized at the next level. He might not have 3 down ability https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/Mario-Addison-Jersey , but his elusiveness, ability to run after contact, and his contributions in the pass game make him an appealing prospect.Fit with CarolinaRon Rivera has mentioned that the Panthers want to find a running back this off-season to take the pressure off Christian McCaffrey. After the C.J. Anderson missed opportunity in 2018, they have to make sure they don’t fumble another chance to find a compliment for their 2017 first round pick. Williams would be an ideal partner for McCaffrey. He adds value on third downs and is an effective runner in certain situations. Williams already understands how to run Texas routes, which are important in Norv Turner’s scheme. The Panthers need to address the running back position, but they shouldn’t pay a premium. Williams will likely be available on day 3 of the draft and that’s where Carolina should consider him. CHARLOTTE Marquis Haynes Jersey , N.C. (AP)Coach Ron Rivera received a text from Cam Newton immediately after the Carolina Panthers selected Maryland wide receiver D.J. Moore in the first round of the NFL draft that read: ”Thank you!”The Panthers gave Newton more help on offense Thursday night by selecting Moore 24th overall in hopes of upgrading a passing game that finished 28th in the league last season.Moore was the first wide receiver taken in the draft.Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said Moore’s best quality is his ability to make plays after the catch.”When he has the ball in his hands he turns into a running back,” Hurney said. ”He breaks tackles and makes big plays. And still he has the speed to stretch the defense and go deep. He runs good routes and has a lot of strengths.”Newton apparently took notice.”Cam stays up on all of this stuff and he came right to us with all of the offensive guys,” Rivera said. ”He pays attention to it.”Newton isn’t the only one high on Moore.Steve Smith Sr., the Panthers all-time leader in most receiving categories, said he likes the toughness with which Moore approaches the game and thinks he can be a big time player.”To be truthful, they have never been able to replace me” said Smith https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/Torrey-Smith-Jersey , now an analyst for the NFL Network.Smith thinks Moore might finally be the receiver that can.”You get that guy and you’ve got instant grits all day long,” Smith said.”For Steve to say that is high praise,” Rivera said. ”I’m pretty fired up. I believe D.J. is a guy who can come in and play all three of our wide receiver positions.”Moore is the latest skill position player selected early by the Panthers in the hopes of giving Newton more to work with on offense. Last year Carolina selected running back Christian McCaffrey in the first round and wide receiver Curtis Samuel in the second to take some of the pressure off Newton after he had a down season statistically in 2016.”It was nice to know that whatever I did in college did not go unnoticed,” Moore said.Moore joins what is becoming a crowded wide receivers room in Carolina.The Panthers traded with the Eagles for Torrey Smith and signed free agent Jarius Wright from the Vikings earlier this offseason. Devin Funchess returns as Carolina’s No. 1 receiver after a breakout season in 2017 and Samuel hopes to battle back following an injury-plagued rookie season.Moore said he had a good idea the Panthers were going to select him.”It was a sigh of a relief when I saw North Carolina (area code) come up on my phone,” Moore said. ”I was like, `OK Dontari Poe Color Rush Jersey , this my pick.’ They told me when I was on my draft visit they were going to (draft me), so they kept their promise.”Moore was the 2017 Big Ten Receiver of the Year and first-team all-conference selection. He had a school-record 80 receptions for 1,033 yards and eight touchdowns in 12 games last season for the Terrapins. He also led Maryland in receiving as a sophomore with 41 receptions for 637 yards and six touchdowns.Rivera said Moore could also contribute right away as a returner in addition to playing wide receiver.The 6-foot, 210-pound Moore said he feels like he can be a week one starter at wide receiver ”if I put the work in.”Moore is the first draft pick chosen by Hurney’s since 2012. Hurney was fired by the Panthers that year after conducting 11 drafts as GM, but returned to the team on an interim basis last summer and was hired full time in February.Hurney said he didn’t think Moore would drop to No. 24.He said Moore reminds him a little of Smith.”He has that play strength and that ability to break tackles and make yards after the catch,” Hurney said. ”That is a pretty high bar to set (comparing him to Smith) but there are a lot of things we liked about him.The Panthers have made the playoffs in four of the past five seasons Jarius Wright Jersey , but were knocked out in the first round last season by division foe New Orleans. The Saints swept all three games from Carolina, which made finding ways to match up better with them an offseason priority.Carolina’s offense stalled most of the season in 2017 and it was often the defense that had to bail them out.The move comes on the same day the Panthers gave three-time Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen a two-year contract extension.—