Breaking down Texas Longhorns offensive tackle Cameron Williams ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Usayd Koshul
(Photo: 247Sports)
With the calendar officially turning to April, the 2025 NFL Draft is just a few weeks away. For the Chicago Bears, draft weekend will represent a significant opportunity to put the finishing touches on a roster that general manager Ryan Poles has spent the last four offseasons building.
Heading into the 2025 offseason, offensive line was a major need, and the Bears were aggressive, acquiring veterans Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney via trade while also signing Drew Dalman in free agency.
A revamped interior has suddenly generated excitement but the Bears still have some work that needs to be done. Braxton Jones is going into a contract year, and while the franchise has Kiran Amegadjie under contract through 2027, the Bears could still look to add to the offensive line.
With three picks between rounds two and three, the Bears could view the second day of the draft as an opportunity to add some high-upside talent to the offensive line. It's an approach that would allow the Bears to draft and develop players for the foreseeable future.
That's where Texas Longhorns offensive tackle Cameron Williams comes into the picture. A tall, lengthy offensive lineman with the physical traits needed to develop into a solid starter at tackle in the NFL, Williams is the second Longhorn offensive lineman to declare for this year's draft. His counterpart, Kelvin Banks Jr. is being projected as a first-round pick.
Let's get into our scouting report on Williams.
Cameron Williams, Texas, (6-foot-6, 317 pounds)
From his NFL.com draft profile via Lance Zierlein:
"Williams' blend of desirable physical traits but subpar bend and foot quickness make him a tougher pro projection. The technique will likely need a full year of work to help mitigate the aforementioned deficiencies and allow his traits to speak more loudly. He has the potential to impose his size on lesser opponents, but more skilled combatants will have the upper hand. Williams is more mauler than a mover in the run game, while his protection consistency should improve with more work. Experience should bring out his upside, but his ceiling could be an average starting right tackle."
Film:
Strengths:
- 24 starts over the last two seasons at right tackle means he's an experienced player who will only get better with more reps.
- Has the length needed to play tackle effectively at the next level.
- Has proven that he can be solid as a run blocker and pass protector.
- Understands how to use his long arms in order to keep defenders in check.
- Has the lateral quickness needed to get out into space.
- Athleticism makes him one of the most intriguing players in this draft class.
Weaknesses:
- Needs to get stronger if he is going to take another step forward in his development.
- Will need at least a year or two to develop into a true starter.
- Anchor clearly collapses when he faces speed-to-power edge rushers.
- Struggles to effectively move defenders off the line of scrimmage in the running game.
Final Thoughts:
Watching Williams on film, it's easy to see what type of player he can develop into. He'll spend the first year or two of his career as a backup and depth piece, but by the time he gets to his third season, he could earn a starting role.
For a team like the Bears, Williams makes sense as a developmental prospect as the franchise continues to figure out ways to shore up depth. With Darnell Wright locked in as the primary starter on offense for at least the next two seasons, Williams could be the perfect prospect to develop as some insurance behind Wright.
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