Going into the 2015 NFL Draft, I had Miami’s Clive Walford as my best tight end coming out. But the experts all had Minnesota’s Maxx Williams as the best tight end in the 2015 draft class. Then it seemed like they were right when he was picked in the second round by the Baltimore Ravens.
Walford ended up going in the third round to the Oakland Raiders but at the end of the season, it seemed as if I was right. Once Walford came back he showed major flashes, making big plays down the field. Meanwhile, I didn’t hear the equivalent of a loud foul ball from Williams.
I thought that was a victory for me over the experts as Walford had more yards and TDs. But I’ve come to find out it’s going to take a long time to determine this one. The Ravens were drafting for the future when they drafted Williams as they have a crowded tight end room.
And he’ll have it again as Ben Watson was signed in March and quarterback Joe Flacco’s is hoping Dennis Pitta, one of his favorite targets, returns from injury. If everyone is healthy, Williams could find himself fighting for snaps, but he’s saying the right things about welcoming the chance to work with Watson and Pitta.
He told the Ravens’ official website, “It really helps, having the veterans here; it really gives me a chance to learn from them and see what made them successful,” Williams said, per the . “It’s nice seeing those guys practice every day so you can take what they have and build off that.”
His time will eventually come but we will have to wait to make tight end class comparisons.