Falcons pick CB Avery Williams with 183rd pick in 5th round

The Atlanta Falcons used their second of back to back picks in the fifth round to enhance the cornerback depth and to take a specialist in special teams with Avery Williams out of Boise State.

Williams bring excellent tackling ability and is a great special teams player. He’s pretty undersized as a 5’8 cornerback, so he may translate more as a special teams player at the next level, but we’ve seen shorter corners do good things in Atlanta in the recent past. Williams’ measurables were impressive, and he becomes one of the favorites for the team’s punt returner job (remember, Cordarrelle Patterson only returns kicks). He had multiple touchdowns in college as a returner and, even if he doesn’t prove to be a huge addition as a defender, will be a welcome and likely impactful special teams addition.

There will likely be a competition between Williams and Chris Rowland in Training Camp for punt return duties, one the new draft pick should be expected to be a strong contender for. He’ll add deep depth, at the very least, for a cornerback position the Falcons seem keen to rebuild.

Round 1, Pick 4: TE Kyle Pitts, Florida

Round 2, Pick 35: S Richie Grant, UCF

Round 3, Pick 68: OL Jalen Mayfield, Michigan

Round 4, Pick 108: CB Darren Hall, San Diego State

Round 4, Pick 114: OL Drew Dalman, Stanford

Round 5, Pick 148: DL Ta’Quon Graham, Texas

Round 5, Pick 182: DE Adetokunbo Ogundeji, Notre Dame

Round 5, Pick 183: CB Avery Williams, Boise State

Round 6, Pick 187