Can Williams become the Giants’ “X” receiver?
The wide receiver class in the 2025 NFL Draft isn’t as highly regarded as the 2024 receiver class. But while this year’s class might not have star power, it does have a number prospects who could present intriguing upside.
The New York Giants have one of the league’s best young receivers in Malik Nabers, but they don’t have a big, physical presence on the outside. Savion Williams out of TCU could give them the size they’re lacking, while also giving them another player who’s able to rack up yards after the catch.
Prospect: Savion Williams (3)
Games Watched: vs. Baylor (2023), vs. Stanford (2024), vs. UCF (2024), vs. Kansas (2024)
Measurables
Height: 6-foot-5 (estimated)
Weight: 225 pounds (estimated)
Strengths
Best traits
- Size
- Athleticism
- Run after catch
- Blocking
Williams is a big, strong, and athletic wide receiving prospect with the versatility to be used in a number of ways.
He has a prototypical blend of size and athleticism at 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, good long speed, and surprising quickness for a player his size. Williams was used in a variety of ways by the TCU offense, lining up out wide, in the slot, and in the backfield.
Williams is able to play the X or Flanker positions, using his size and speed to stretch defenses deep, as well as his quickness to uncover against zone defenses. Likewise, his size makes him a mismatch against many slot corners. He’s an acceptable route runner with a good release and generally precise routes. Williams still needs to develop the route running savvy to truly weaponize all aspects of his routes, but he’s generally where he’s supposed to be, when he’s supposed to be there.
Interestingly, TCU also schemed Williams touches and he’s dangerous with the ball in his hands. He was frequently put into jet motion and given the ball on sweeps – or used as a misdirection piece off of those plays – and even used as a Wildcat quarterback. Williams’ size allows him to break poor tackle attempts and his long strides eat up space in the open field. He’s a very determined runner who fights for extra yardage and can be tough for defensive backs to bring down.
Finally, the competitive toughness that Williams shows as a runner also translates to his blocking. He’s a willing blocker who quickly transitions from receiver to blocker down the field and is also strong at the point of attack when blocking on the play-side of running plays. He works to sustain his blocks and generally blocks with good technique – and not just “for a receiver”.
Weaknesses
Worst traits
- Catch consistency
- Quickness out of breaks
Williams’ biggest weakness is his hands, or more accurately, his catch consistency.
He flashes good ball skills, locating, tracking, and adjusting to the ball in flight, then extending to pluck it out of the air. However, he just isn’t a consistent catcher of the ball and can sometimes be prone to dropping easy passes. Williams’ ability to pick up yards after the catch are a strength of his game, and perhaps he’s suffering from concentration drops as he looks ahead to the run.
Williams also has a habit of hopping at the catch point, even when it’s completely unnecessary. Not only does that suggest some distrust in his hands but it also limits his ability to pick up yards immediately after the catch. There are instances where defenders catch him flat-footed because of a hop.
On the flip side, he’s also shown the ability to make legitimately difficult catches in close quarters or when contorting wildly. That suggests that he has the ability to be a good catcher of the ball, but he needs to find consistency at the catch point.
Game Tape
(Williams is the TCU receiver wearing No. 3 with long hair)
Projection
Savion Williams projects as a third or fourth receiver at this point in his development.
This biggest hurdle to getting consistent snaps will be improving his consistency when catching the ball. Teams will have limited patience for a receiver who repeatedly makes concentration drops, and his athletic traits will only earn him so many chances. That said, if he’s able to find consistency at the catch point, Williams has a high ceiling. He has a rare blend of size and athleticism for the position and he could be a starter with some development and in the right situation.
At the very least, Williams’ ability as a blocker as well as the threat he poses with the ball in his hands should earn him a roster spot. He might have to make his living as a special teams player and gadget receiver while his hands develop, but the potential reward is there if a team can unlock it.
Does he fit the Giants?
Yes
Final Word: A later day two value