KC Chiefs: Potential Defensive Tackle Prospects in 2019 NFL Draft
By John McCarty
DEFENSIVE TACKLE PROSPECTS – ROUND TWO
GERALD WILLIS – MIAMI (FL)
If Gerald Willis were more consistent with his technique, he likely is in discussion for the Chiefs a round earlier. A really good athlete for his size, Willis is a get up the field, shoot the gap defensive tackle capable of disrupting running plays and getting to the quarterback on passing downs. When he’s right, Willis is an interior force.
He can lose leverage, coming straight out of his stance at the snap, opening his mid section to the lineman, and at times completely blown off the ball. Asked to do a lot of lateral moving along the line, he can at times bring his hands in and stand up, losing all leverage.
Too many times this past season, he was turned around by lineman, incapable of doing much of well, anything. Often shooting the gap, Willis at times can take himself out of plays or allow himself to be taken out of plays along the backside of run plays.
If the Chiefs go into the draft looking for a gap shooting, quick off the ball tackle to line up next to Nnadi or Xavier Williams, Willis is intriguing if the Chiefs believe they can work on Willis consistency and technique. If you believe that can happen, Willis could be a steal in round two.
If not, well, he will fade quietly from the league.