The New England Patriots are hoping for big things out of rookie Joejuan Williams. The defending champions are always looking to replenish the talent in their secondary, and they nabbed the Vanderbilt cornerback in the second round of this most recent draft.
They invested the 45th overall pick in him, so they're probably hoping that he can contribute right away. Something that might make Pats fans feel pretty good is that one noted NFL Draft expert thinks his play compares favorably to one star corner.
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein lists Trumaine Johnson as Williams' best pro comp.
Johnson starred with the Rams for years before earning a massive five-year, $72.5 million contract from the New York Jets. Zierlein loved Williams' physical traits, writing that he has an “excellent combination of size and length” and that his “length and physicality tilt contested catches in his favor.”
New England had a lot of key departures after their latest Super Bowl win, and just like seemingly every season, their defense will look quite a bit different in 2019. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores left to become the head coach in Miami, and star pass-rusher Trey Flowers left for a huge contract with the Lions.
The Patriots already have one big name corner in Stephon Gilmore, who has been excellent the past couple of years. Gilmore had the game-winning interception off of Jared Goff in this past Super Bowl, and a duo of him and Williams could be dangerous for years to come.
If Williams can play anything like Johnson has, he'll have more than lived up to his draft status.
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