Profiling the Pittsburgh Steelers’ undrafted free brokers we didn’t have pre-draft reviews on. Immediately, a scouting report on Indiana large receiver Ke’Shawn Williams.
No. 5, KE’SHAWN WILLIAMS, WR, INDIANA (Graduate Senior) — 5090, 188 POUNDS
MEASUREMENTS
Participant | Ht/Wt | Hand Measurement | Arm Size | Wingspan |
Ke’Shawn Williams | 5090/188 | 9 3/4″ | 30″ | 71 5/8″ |
40-Yard Sprint | 10-Yard Sprint | Quick Shuttle | 3-Cone | |
4.50 | 1.59 | 4.34 | 6.90 | |
Broad Soar | Vertical | Bench Press | ||
10’1″ | 39″ | 6 |
THE GOOD
-Shifty route runner with good burst into and out of his cuts
-Excessive compete degree; sells routes properly even when on bottom of play
-Sound route runner that may run the complete route tree out of the slot
-Keen blocker that competes his tail off regardless of smaller body
-Has “my ball” mentality it doesn’t matter what; performs larger than his body
-Constant arms to grab soccer away from his physique
-Compact, highly effective body that’s well-proportioned and may stand as much as bodily toll
-Offers a little bit of juice with ball in his arms; tougher to sort out because of sturdy decrease half
THE BAD
-Small for the place and doesn’t have high-end explosion much like gamers his measurement
-Doesn’t create a lot separation regardless of sturdy skills as a route runner
-Restricted catch radius with lack of size
-Lengthy velocity is an actual concern; not going to tug away from defenders or run away from guys after the catch
-Manufacturing restricted in lone season at Indiana after switch from Wake Forest
-Struggles to seek out gentle spots in zone and settle to indicate QB his quantity
BIO
-Transferred to Indiana for 2024 season after 4 seasons at Wake Forest
-Was one in all 27 gamers that transferred into the Indiana program for 2024 season
-Completed lone season with Hoosiers with 39 receptions for 448 yards and 5 touchdowns
-Recorded 107 receptions for 1,385 yards and 5 touchdowns throughout 4 seasons at Wake Forest
-Performed in 59 profession video games in faculty with Wake Forest and Indiana, and began in 11 video games
-A local of Philadelphia, was a three-star recruit popping out of highschool and was ranked among the many 25 finest gamers in Pennsylvania popping out of highschool
-Turns 24 years outdated in December
TAPE BREAKDOWN
Coming into the 2025 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers wanted a receiver behind DK Metcalf, particularly in the event that they had been going to attempt to commerce George Pickens. Nevertheless, Pickens remained on the roster via the conclusion of the draft and looks as if a key piece for the Black and Gold’s 2025 season.
That didn’t cease the Steelers from including a receiver to the undrafted free agent class. That will be Indiana’s Ke’Shawn Williams, who transferred to the Hoosiers for the 2024 season and recorded 39 receptions for 448 yards and 5 touchdowns after spending 4 seasons with Wake Forest.
Although he went undrafted and is coming off of a comparatively quiet season production-wise, Williams has some good moments on tape that present some actual promise as a man who may earn a roster spot because the No. 5-6 receiver with some kick and punt return skills.
As a receiver, there may be some good burst inside his routes. He can run a full route tree and has max effort in each route he’s assigned, even when he’s not concerned within the play. The motor runs sizzling with Williams, and he actually exhibits up within the crimson zone as that shifty receiver that may get open and win matchups.
Take a look at this rep right here towards Charlotte final season.
Good footwork to get inside from the slot and work vertical towards the linebacker, pulling away on the high of the route and making an excellent arms catch away from his physique for the rating.
There’s some suddenness in his route operating, significantly on in-breaking routes. He doesn’t waste any actions, and he’s in a position to get into and out of his cuts shortly, permitting him to create a sliver of separation to win.
Watch Ke’Shawn Williams on the high of his stem right here towards Michigan State, leading to an explosive play on the catch-and-run. He’s fast to the highest of his stem, promoting vertical the entire time, after which is ready to lower shortly inside, creating separation towards the nook for the wide-open pitch and catch from the quarterback, who hits him in stride and ends in an enormous acquire.
As a smaller receiver, Williams doesn’t have an enormous catch radius, and his 39-inch vertical doesn’t present up a lot on tape, however it did within the matchup towards Michigan final season.
It’s not the most effective route as a result of he’s rounding issues off, permitting defenders to get again into part, however he does a pleasant job of working to the sideline and into his quarterback’s imaginative and prescient. As soon as there, he goes up and will get the ball for the big-time catch alongside the sideline, flashing that athleticism and above-the-rim skills within the air.
The place Ke’Shawn Williams may be at his finest within the NFL, ought to he earn a roster spot and carve out a job, is within the crimson zone as that slot receiver who can win shortly and exhibits sturdy arms.
On the highway towards UCLA early within the season, Ke’Shawn Williams had a giant function towards the Bruins and a pleasant landing.
Nothing flashy right here: only a easy out route within the crimson zone off of movement. Williams does an excellent job of breaking down the nook on the high of his stem and is ready to flip his hips and head round within the blink of an eye fixed, discovering the soccer for the rating.
Williams impresses me essentially the most, although, together with his effort and toughness. As I discussed earlier than, he sells each single route. He by no means loafs, even when it’s a run play and he’s on the bottom lined up on the boundary. He’s going to promote his route and power the nook to work.
As a blocker, he’s undersized, however he’ll struggle and provides an trustworthy effort.
That can endear him to coaches and teammates.
This rep towards Michigan State is an efficient instance of that. He initially takes a nasty angle on the crack block towards the linebacker and doesn’t land the most effective block. However then he fights to get again into the combination, will get his head on the correct facet, and lands the block towards the linebacker, doing his highest to try to assist his teammate flip the nook.
CONCLUSION
General, Ke’Shawn Williams is an undersized receiver with a restricted catch radius and is a slot-only participant. Nonetheless, his willingness as a blocker, his effort all through video games, and his sudden actions inside his routes give him an opportunity to make some noise in coaching camp and the preseason.
Williams additionally has some juice after the catch and is hard to sort out on jet sweeps and fast screens because of his sturdy decrease half. Add in some expertise as a kick and punt returner, and Williams ought to have alternatives to show heads and power his approach into the dialogue on the receiver place.
Video games Watched: UCLA (2024), Charlotte (2024), Northwestern (2024), Michigan (2024), Michigan State (2024)