Believe it or not, Browns CB Greedy Williams can tackle

Browns CB Greedy Williams is already answering questions about his ability as a tackler early in the 2019 preseason.

Remember during the run-up to the 2019 NFL Draft, when former LSU CB Greedy Williams was considered the best cover-guy in the class who was simply allergic to tackling? It was a narrative that (among other things) crushed his draft stock and sent him plummeting to the second round.

The Cleveland Browns made Williams the 46th overall pick (the 14th selection in the second round) and he’s been viewed as one of the class’s biggest draft-day steals. Williams, who projects as a starter alongside Denzel Ward, has ridiculously high upside as a cover-corner capable of locking down an opponent’s No. 2 receiver; Ward will stick with the No. 1 guy.

But what about those pesky running plays? Can the Browns rely on Williams to step up and make a hit? If his performance against the Redskins in the team’s first preseason game is any indication, the answer is yes.

“He showed everybody that he will tackle,” DBs coach De’Wayne Walker said of Williams before a recent practice, via Browns Wire. “I’m sure that’s the main thing everybody wanted to see…It’s hard in practice because you don’t get a lot of live reps, so it’s nice to see (tackling) in a live setting.”

The criticism of Williams’ tackling at LSU felt a bit overblown at the time. Let’s face it: cornerbacks are on the field primarily for coverage. If they can provide run support, it’s a bonus; not a requirement. Williams wasn’t great as a run defender in the SEC, but he wasn’t the worst prospect in that regard, either.

Maybe Williams heard all the chatter and is out to prove his naysayers wrong. If, in fact, he becomes a more well-rounded defender, he’ll reach heights that extend beyond his scouting report and will go down as one of the true gems from Day 2 of the 2019 NFL draft.