D.J. Williams, good man, good tight end, good fit

The Dolphins have Arkansas tight end D.J. Williams on their draft radar.

There have been, in fact, reports that when the Dolphins went to Fayetteville, Arkansas and worked out both Williams and quarterback Ryan Mallett, that it was Williams who was more intriguing to the team. I don't exactly know if I buy that.

But I know the Dolphins can use an upgrade at tight end. And Williams would be one. And that's why Williams has been the focus of much Dolphins personnel work and attention.

On Tuesday, Williams spent some time with me on my Armando and the Amigo radio show in South Florida. I asked Williams if he's noticed extra attention from the Dolphins?

"I want to say yes, but I don't want to sit there on draft day and hear, "the Miami Dolphins select," and they don't pick me. So I'll just leave it there," Williams said. "They have shown me interest, I will say that. We had a good time and had lunch with [offensive coordinator Brian Daboll] and everyone else when they worked us out."

At one point during that private workout in Arkansas, Williams volunteered to play the piano at general manager Jeff Ireland's wedding anniversary party.

"I figured, why not?" he said.

Williams said Tampa Bay, the Vikings, and the Texans are among the other teams who have also shown a high amount of interest in him.

So what will an NFL team get from Williams?

"I'm going to try to be the best the NFL has seen," he said.

Williams fits the Miami mold. He's 6-2 and 250 pounds, he's productive, he comes with a resume of having played in the Southeastern Conference, and he's a good man. Remember last year the Dolphins showed they want to add solid citizens to the roster.

Williams is an inspiration. As a child his mom was involved in an abusive relationship with his father in Texas. It got so bad his mom had to move the family to a shelter in the same state. Not far enough away, apparently, from the abuser so she changed her plans and decided to leave the state.

"We were sitting there in Dallas and my mom wanted to move further away," Williams said. "She pulled out a map and told me, 'Where are we going?' I just put my finger on a spot. I was young at the time, I didn't know what I was doing. I put my finger on the map and it landed in Little Rock, Arkansas, so we packed up and left. We lived in a shelter there for a time and pretty much worked our way up from there. We're in a good spot now, living nice."

Williams freely recounts his tale. He says his experiences have colored the person he is today.

"I was young but you always have that feeling that something's not right. I witnessed a lot of stuff going down between my parents. Just tthe fear and all that in my mom's eyes, you just know something's not right.

"But I wouldn't change anything because it's made me who I am today and it's made my family stronger. In life and even in football, adversity is going to come and it's how you respond that matters. It's like sandpaper. It's going to rub on you, but if you stay in it, it'll get worn down but you're going to come out smooth."

We asked Williams for first-hand information on Mallett, the quarterback the Dolphins also have on their radar.

You can hear the entire Williams interview, including what he said about Mallett, on the Armando and the Amigo podcast right here.

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Comments

[Turd Ferguson]

When I look at Miami's schedule I realize even more the importance of selecting dynamic players in the upcoming draft. Because with the roster they have now it looks like a 5-11 season at best. Hard to get a warm & fuzzy feeling playing NE on the opening Monday night after what the Pats did to them not only in prime time last year, but on the final regular season game. It will take exciting, talented additions to make me believe they stand a chance.

[Turd Ferguson]

If anyone trades with New England this year I'm going to be extremely pissed. Why do teams insist on giving them more bullets?? I guess it's easier to do when your not in their division. If I were owners of the Jets, Bills & Fins I would get together & offer the rest of the league cash if no team trades with them for the next 3 years. I know it's collusion, but so what!

[Turd Ferguson]

Does anyone think pick 15 is too high for Kyle Rudolph??

[Subway Lobster]

I saw Ernest Borgnine's face on a pancake this morning.

[GregPhin]

I watch the Razorbacks when I get the chance and think D.J. would be a nice addition. TE is definitely a special position for a ball control team.

Go Dolphins...and Razorbacks / Hogs !

[ALoco]

WHAT A GOOD STORY OF THAT GUY , MONEY ISN'T EVERY THING IN LIFE .I ALWAYS THOUGT MOTHERS ARE WAY MORE IMPORTANT THAN FATHERS....FATHERS ARE OVER RATED .

[ALoco]

I WOULD NEVER DRAFT A GUY HIS LAST NAME IS RUDOLPH IN ANY ROUND .

[beerphin]

TF,
It's a little too high for Rudolph but there is speculation that he may go 19 to the Giants so... I think if they seriously want a stud at TE immediate impact type player then Rudolph is obviously the best choice... If they feel like that is the position they want to upgrade the most then No it is not too high...

[beerphin]

I don't think DJ Williams will be greater than Jordan Cameron or Virgil Green. His short size kinda worries me. We already have that H-type TE with Fasano. They need someone athletic that can go up the middle and create mismatches with size and speed. My TE wishlist in order
Kyle Rudolph top 40
Jordan Cameron 3rd
Luke Stocker 3rd
Lance Kendricks 3rd
Rob Housler 4th
Virgil Green 4th
DJ Williams 4th

[dolfanSF]

don't know much about college players. Is he a projected 1st rounder or later?

[SureShockMiami]

I THINK HE IS A GREAT FIT FOR US IF WE'RE CHANGING UP OR OFFENSIVE SCHEME

HE CAN BE OUR DALLAS CLARK!!

[Craig M]

beerphin,

I think you've summed things up well. I concur with your list. However, I really like Virgil Green and I might have him a little higher. To be honest, any of these guys in the third or fourth would be fine with me. I'm glad the FO is at least making TE a priority. I think a pass-catching TE will be one of the keys to getting the passing game turned around.

[oscar canosa]

Nice to have Mallet-----oWilliams.

[The Wolf, ICU, (starvation coma)]

I know it’s mock weekend next weekend and i’ll repost it then, I just want to be the first to blast out my no.1 pick so u can give me abuse for the next few days (and 3 seasons)

If I’m in the FO I look to fill any defensive needs in fa if it happens,

I don’t like to reach for a player but looking at the films and the write ups if i was in the FO here’s my mock,
I might get fired by u guys but I’m going with the ballsy mock,

i’ve laid alternative safer options lower down , players in parenthesis would take if 1st gone.

TRADE DOWN (THE WOLF’S CHOICE MOCK)
1. QB KAEPERNICK (will need to sit for at least half season but if henne fails this guy could rock next season, imo, he’ll be a franchise qb somewhere, so i say let it be in a finsuit)
2. RB DIMARCO MURRAY (RYAN WILLIAMS)
3. OL C BOLING (IF MEDS GIVE THUMBS UP TO ANKLE) (W RACKLEY)
4. TE ROB HOUSLER (DJ WILLIAMS)
5 RB ALEX GREEN (STEPHEN RIDLEY)
6 RB DIONE LEWIS
7 TE MIKE HIGGINS
7 WR RICARDO LOCKETTE (AKA TED GINN WITH WORSE HANDS) SPEED HAS TO BE ACCOUNTED FOR
7 QB TYROD TAYLOR

NO TRADE DOWN –
1. QB KAEPERNICK
3. OL C BOLING (WILL RACKLEY), (S SCHILLING)
4. TE ROB HOUSLER (DJ WILLIAMS)
5. RB ALEX GREEN (STEPHEN RIDLEY)
6. RB DIONE LEWIS
7. TE MIKE HIGGINS
7. WR RICARDO LOCKETTE (AKA TED GINN WITH WORSE HANDS) SPEED HAS TO BE ACCOUNTED FOR
7. QB TYROD TAYLOR

NO TRADE DOWN , if u hate the kaepernick reach
1. OL , CARIMI, POUNCY, SOLDER, CASTONZO,
3. RB, D THOMAS, (SHANE VEREEN), (TAIW JONES)
4. TE ROB HOUSLER (DJ WILLIAMS)
5. RB ALEX GREEN (STEPHEN RIDLEY)
6. RB DIONE LEWIS
7. TE MIKE HIGGINS
7. WR RICARDO LOCKETTE (AKA TED GINN WITH WORSE HANDS) SPEED HAS TO BE ACCOUNTED FOR
7. QB TYROD TAYLOR

TRADE DOWN (no KAEP)
1. OL CARIMI, POUNCY, SOLDER, CASTONZO,
2. RB DIMARCO MURRAY (RYAN WILLIAMS)
3. TE VIRGIL GREEN
4. RB ROY HELU
5 QB PATRICK DEVLIN
6 RB DIONE LEWIS
7 TE MIKE HIGGINS
7 WR RICARDO LOCKETTE (AKA TED GINN WITH WORSE HANDS) SPEED HAS TO BE ACCOUNTED FOR
7 QB TYROD TAYLOR

[ALoco]

I SEA THE DLOPHINS PICKING THENEXT BIG THING COMING OUT OF COLLEGE, THE GRAET JCORY HARRIS FROM THE "U",AFTER THE FIRST YEAR HE"LL BRING $ SUPER BOWELS TO THE FINS.THATS MY FUTURA PICK FOR THE PINS.

[ALoco]

SORRY MENT TO SAY 6 SUPERBOWELS

[ALoco]

DIDNT THE "U" HAVE A RUNING BACK BUY THE NAME DJ WILLIMDS?

[Cal from Cali]

LMAO, Really Aloco?

[eric]

You want this team to be ready for primetime and an offense that doesnt blow donkey...

Sign D'Angelo Williams

trade down to lower first

1. A QB, anyone- Mallett/Dalton/Kaepernick
2. Ryan Williams, V-tech
3. D.J. Williams, Arkansas

3 Williams = SuperBowl Bound

[oscar canosa]

We need a QB, Wolf. I believe there are several NFL caliber ones among the bunch to be drafted(your pick is one of them). No Marino, though.

[Cal from Cali]

The Dolphins need to have a complete lock-out for the entire season.

[Cal from Cali]

Coaches and owners espically.there both toxic.

[oscar canosa]

Against my good judgment I am looking at replays of all the QB's in this draft.
Andy Dalton: no chance.

[GarbagePlate]

Couldnt agree more Armando. A few of us on here have mentioned Williams in the past. If he is there in the 4th round, it's a no brainer.

@the wolf: with all due respect, any GM that took Kaepernick in the 1st round would be run out of town, and rightfully so.

I'm still hopeful the best RB in the draft is on Miami's radar: Jordan Todman, UConn

I think most of you will be pleasantly surprised when Henne turns in a solid year (if there is a year)

[oscar canosa]

Colin Kaepernick: have to account for his luminous Bulb, but overall, has a looong way to go to play in the NFL.

[star tracker]

Not a QB in the draft as good as Henne! Any QB in the first or second round would be a reach.. We need to go with a veteran guy...

[SureShockMiami]

luke stocker is a cow we need speed

virgil green is an athletic freak i think he would be explossive

but dj williams has great handssss tho which in my book is great value coming out the back field or slot he is good

[Cal from Cali]

RE:Kaepernsick, Wolfs and Wolve's, Is there a difference?, I See Tony pulling some strings to get Colin just from his teams nickname, I mean he is a Dolt(Sparono)Right?

[ALoco]

I SEA THAT THE GANG OF DEFEET HAS A NEW MEMBER,WELOM CAL.

[oscar canosa]

Blaine Gabbert: might play sooner than Colin in the NFL due to his tremendous decision making but he has very little upside as compared to Colin. Backup or out of the league in 2-3 years.

[oscar canosa]

Ryan Mallet: sure-fire NFL starter.

[ALoco]

OSCAR,I HAER THAT BLAIN IS BEING TESTED BY THE DENTEST IN MIAMI,DID YOU HAER THIS TWO?

[oscar canosa]

Actually it was a proctologist ALoco, to make sure we don't have a Henne repeat.

[ALoco]

OSCAR, ARE YOU A MEMBER OF THE GANG OF DEFEET?

[oscar canosa]

Cam Newton: a bigger, better Mike Vick with fire in his eyes. Grab inmediately, #1 1 1 1 1

[oscar canosa]

Ricky Stanzi: backup or out of the league soon.

[oscar canosa]

Christian Ponder: NFL is waiting for him.

[BoulderPhinFan]

too bad he won't be there at 79 when we pick.

[oscar canosa]

Jake Loker: forget it.

[beerphin]

I think If we get a trade back then a QB late in the 1st or in the 2nd would be worth getting for competition. order for QBs IMO after the top 3.
Ponder
Dalton
Kaepernick
Mallet

[oscar canosa]

Pat Devlin: Yessir.

[Cuban Menace]

Good afternoon Phinland....,Beer, Remember who the GM for the air-breathers is,any good(or logical)move will be with Ireland...., I miss the old days where Speilman would more then likely make the wrong move, With Ireland you Know he will........ JMHO... LOL, But not really...

[oscar canosa]

So, what you People think of my QB choices?

[SureShockMiami]

dj will go higher than projected i see him going mid to early 3rd maybe even late 2nd he wont make it till the fourth

[beerphin]

Williams is like Keller but not as fast

[oscar canosa]

I know nothing about TE's. Sorry.

[Cuban Menace]

Beer, not sure, Who knows who's the next great QB, Remeber that Tom Brady was a 6th rounder so I'm not sure who will be the next great QB, Imean the kid in Tampa looks good, Sam Bradford looks to be great, Who really knows, One thing I do know is it's not Henne........

[beerphin]

A guy thats been turning heads a lot lately is Charles Clay. RB/FB from Tulsa that can really catch amazing. He is a beast kinda like Brandon Jacobs At 6'3"1/2 he moves like a RB and has great hands. I see him being a great choice in the 4th rd along with a small back option runner. Ahmad Bradshaw or DeAngelo Williams would be ideal fits IMO or maybe Kendall Hunter in the 3rd rd and this guy in the fourth. It'd be a SICK combo

[beerphin]

Es la verdad Cuban, but it'd also be stupid to not give him another shot at it. They really need competition for him. Maybe it elevates his game as it did with the RIvers/Brees situation, If he flops trade him for a 4th rd pick before the trade deadline

[Cuban Menace]

Maybe FOX TV will have a competion called" THE NEXT GREAT QB",Next year, it would attract football crazed fans before the draft.... Maybe I should call "FOX"... LOL..

[the wolf, icu, starvation coma]

garbage plate @ 10.38

i'd kinda expect to be run out of town

but, if u have no second, or whats prob a late-ish 2nd and u think kaep's the man (or whoever) u have to take him in the first as he'll prob be gone next pic

i haven't worked this guy out and our mocks are kinda playing but IF i was in the FO and thought he was a good bet that's what i'd do

i'm only putting my head on the blog block, but of all the qb's after the first 2 (and vene poss with them imo) he's got serious franch potential

[beerphin]

There is something about Ponder and Dalton that just makes me believe they have what it takes to be winners in the NFL. Newton and Locker could be superstars or they could flop... so could Kaepernick... I believe Mallet may be the best of them but not for another 3-5 years he is so immature that I wouldn't trust him in the huddle

[Cuban Menace]

True Beer, I to will give Henne another shot, the 1st 3 weeks of the season should prove it.. IMHO..

[beerphin]

I see Ponder going top 40 and Dalton going top 50 with Kaepernick top 65... Mallet is a mystery to me. I personally wouldn't touch him until after those three were already off the board...

[oscar canosa]

But I know a lot about GREAT QB's. Unfortunately, I don't believe there's that kind in this Draft.

[oscar canosa]

We don't need a GREAT QB(though it would come in handy) just a good QB.

[beerphin]

Tradeback scenario with TE at top
1st Kyle Rudolph TE Notre Dame
2nd Andy Dalton QB TCU
3rd Greg Little WR North Carolina
4th Charles Clay RB/FB Tulsa
5th Lee Ziemba OL Auburn
6th DeMarcus Van Dyke DB The U
6th Dion Lewis RB Pittsburg
7th Justin Boren OG OSU
7th Dom DiCecco SS Pittsburg

[oscar canosa]

Henne has all the physical ability in the world, he's just not accurate enough and has no recognition skills.

[oscar canosa]

I have never believed in that best athlete available. If you have your guy, you go get him no matter what.

[jamesthefinfan]

some of the comments these people make are rediculous, wouldnt touch mallett till dalton is off the board.....youre high. dalton is a good college quarterback mallett is a beast for sure. His arm is all pro level he has played under center and he had only 2 weapons his whole career to work with. Give that guy weapons like marshall bess and a good running game a.k.a deangelo williams and the dolphins will win 8 or 9 games and be in the playoffs in 3 years