2017 NFL Draft: Eagles host Mike Williams on a visit in Philadelphia

Along with some other big names in this year’s draft class, the Eagles are hosting wide receiver prospect Mike Williams on an official pre-draft visit in Philadelphia today. Williams is one of 30 prospects who will visit the Eagles leading up to the 2017 NFL Draft.

The 22-year-old Williams projects to be a first-round pick. He could be in play for when the Eagles pick at No. 14. Despite signing Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith in free agency, wide receiver is still a long-term need for the Eagles. Jeffery and Smith could potentially be gone as soon as next offseason. Meanwhile, slot receiver Jordan Matthews is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in 2018.

Williams’ game compares to Jeffery’s style. He’s a tall, physical receiver who goes up for jump balls. In four years at Clemson, Williams logged 177 receptions for 2,727 yards (15.4 average) and 21 touchdowns. Williams missed most of his junior season in 2015 due to suffering a fractured bone in his neck.

For more on Williams, check out BGN’s scouting report.

Mike Williams needs an aggressive quarterback to trust him with the ball in the air because he will not consistently create separation. Williams' ball skills and size can create a mismatch on the outside and in tight spaces, but it takes a very specific quarterback to exploit such ability. Luckily, Carson Wentz has shown he will trust his receivers in these tight spaces, but Williams' inconsistency will be familiarly frustrating for the offense.

Williams would be a fit in Philadelphia and there are definitely reasons to like him, but there is also a lot of evidence to cause skepticism. Williams absolutely can improve, but to bank on that when there will likely be other talented offensive weapons available to the team in the first round would be a mistake. There is a lot to like about Mike Williams, but drafting him in the first round would be a leap of faith that the Eagles cannot afford to make when they need dependable impact skill players right now.

Personally, Williams isn’t my preference at No. 14. I like Corey Davis and John Ross more. But the Eagles are clearly doing their homework on Williams so it’s something to watch.

Watch Williams’ highlights in the video below. Find more of his tape at Draft Breakdown.

Mike Williams spider graph:

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Complete list of known Philadelphia Eagles draft visits

Alabama CB Marlon Humphrey - [Click here]

Washington WR John Ross - [Click here]

Alabama LB Ryan Anderson - [Click here]

Alabama LB Reuben Foster - [Click here]

Florida State RB Dalvin Cook - [Click here]

LSU RB Leonard Fournette - [Click here]

Clemson WR Mike Williams