Eagles Movie Evaluate: Milton Williams is forcing a tricky resolution

It’s the NFL offseason, so it’s time to get into the Eagles’ upcoming free brokers earlier than we get into draft season. I’ll give my common ideas and a few clips to again them up, then conclude with my total ideas on the participant and whether or not he must be re-signed. This time, I’ll have a look at Milton Williams. All stats on this one are Professional Soccer Focus and from the common season solely.

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Beforehand: Zack Baun

Milton Williams
Stats

I anticipated to see a wonderful go rusher, however the go speeding numbers are excellent. Rating 2nd in go speeding productiveness and 4th in go speeding win % is spectacular. The run protection numbers aren’t nice, however we’ll get into that later. The snaps performed quantity is fascinating to contemplate, too.

Total

Milton William’s energy is profitable one-on-one matchups and getting after the quarterback. I’m beginning the apparent right here, however he’s an excellent inside go rusher. This trait goes to get him paid. He’s at all times been a very good go rusher since he entered the league and groups can even spend huge on people who can win in go speeding conditions.

Eagles Protection All22 vs. Cowboys. 1) The INT got here on CJGJ taking part in because the robber and studying Cooper Rush. It is an terrible play by Rush who stares this down the entire means. Credit score should go to Milton Williams who will get strain and compelled the choice. What a play. pic.twitter.com/bSfQTzcf67

— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) December 30, 2024

He doesn’t simply win his one-on-one matchups when speeding the quarterback. I do know the numbers above level to a poor run defender, however I don’t see an enormous weak point in opposition to the run in William’s sport. He isn’t only a third down go speeding specialist. He can win on early downs, too. He’s a 3-down defensive lineman.

5) Weekly reminder that Milton Williams is a star. He wrecked some runs on this sport. Take a look at him shed this block and make a play on the ball provider! That is huge time. pic.twitter.com/MHg6Hfq7Aq

— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) November 22, 2023

One in all Milton Williams’ greatest strengths is his versatility. He’s a 3-technique, however he can line up additional out huge and even take some reps as an EDGE defender if wanted. This versatility benefited the Eagles this season because the Eagles’ line of defense was unpredictable and will shift on the final minute. Williams might be the 2nd most versatile defensive lineman on the Eagles’ roster proper now, and he will likely be missed if he isn’t on the roster subsequent season.

4) And here is one other instance! The Eagles did line up with Milton Williams as ann EDGE a number of instances which gave them some extra stability in opposition to the run. It is a improbable play by Williams in opposition to outdoors zone and Baun additionally destroys the TE and helps make the sort out. The run… pic.twitter.com/fg89KwbpbF

— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) September 24, 2024

Proper, it is a excellent play by Milton Williams. It’s not his fault that he performs subsequent to Jalen Carter, however you could contemplate it when evaluating Carter. Carter is the Eagles’ finest defensive participant. He’s often commanding double groups, and offensive traces typically shift in direction of his facet. This enables Milton Williams to get plenty of one-on-one matchups. If one other workforce pays Milton Williams like a high defensive lineman, he received’t get this many one-on-one matchups subsequent yr! He’s by no means been the highest man on a line of defense, and will probably be fascinating to see how he adjusts to that.

11) We are going to finish this week with a Milton Williams sack, however this play is all about Jalen Carter. His one arm membership transfer blows previous the double workforce with ease.

The Eagles go protection is great right here too. The Rams’ offense is nice and it was so spectacular to see Fangio & this… pic.twitter.com/vTQJVSiIZU

— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) November 26, 2024

Lastly, the PFF numbers on the high present a fairly poor run defender. I’m unsure I agree with that. Nonetheless, I feel good offensive guards can transfer him, and he significantly struggles in opposition to double groups. He has the luxurious of taking part in subsequent to Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, each of whom take plenty of double groups away from Williams. I feel he’s higher on third down than he’s on early downs, and the realm of his sport he nonetheless must develop is his anchor within the run sport. He’s higher when he can stand up the sector rapidly and penetrate gaps in opposition to the run than when requested to anchor.

3) Rinse and repeat. Below middle outdoors zone. Baun reduce once more. Milton Williams bullied by a double workforce (in his protection – the scheme is not serving to him right here). The EDGE is left unblocked so it is 6v5 within the field vs. a 4-man entrance. Blankenship does his finest however he is too deep to make… pic.twitter.com/LmlUJSJOMT

— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) September 17, 2024

Re-sign?

I feel this one is hard. Clearly, I’d love Milton Williams to be again with the Eagles subsequent yr. He’s a wonderful soccer participant. The Eagles will likely be higher with him on the roster. Nonetheless, Williams is coming off his rookie contract and doesn’t flip 26 till after the beginning of free company. He performed extraordinarily properly within the Tremendous Bowl and is hitting the market on the good time. He’s going to receives a commission. Rather a lot.

I feel the Eagles can’t lose Zack Baun and Milton Williams in the identical offseason. They should hold one of many two. I made my view fairly clear in my earlier article, however when you didn’t learn it…

I’m not a cap man. I’m a movie man. It’s a very good factor I’m not Howie Roseman as a result of I’d pay Baun no matter he desires. I’m not normally that man who shouts ‘pay the man’ as a result of I perceive it’s not that straightforward. I’ll simply say this. Dropping Baun can be a monumental failure for this group. I’d have signed him to an extension within the first half of the season. He shouldn’t be allowed to stroll out the door.

I’d decide Baun over Williams. I’m unsure the Eagles can prolong each while additionally contemplating the long run paydays of gamers reminiscent of Jalen Carter, who should be retained. I feel Zack Baun is a extra essential participant for this Eagles’ protection than Williams is.

One of many advantages of getting an elite defensive participant is that it makes life simpler for others. The Eagles mustn’t have to pay one other defensive lineman large cash once they have Jalen Carter on the roster. The Eagles have already got Moro Ojomo (who’s progressing exceptionally properly), who may step up subsequent yr and take some extra snaps if Williams does go away. I anticipate the Eagles to be lively in free company or the draft if Williams leaves, too.

Regardless of this, Williams has by no means performed greater than 501 snaps in a single season, so paying him to be a ‘star’ could also be dangerous. Perhaps this implies he will get much less on the open market than anticipated, and the Eagles can convey him again with out breaking the financial institution. However I feel that is wishful pondering. I guess he will get paid so much. His expertise is apparent.

If cash weren’t a difficulty, I’d re-sign Milton Williams. However I’d prioritize bringing again Zack Baun. If Baun doesn’t return, I’d be OK with the Eagles giving Williams an enormous contract. I don’t need them to lose each.

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