With the 201st pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected Oklahoma State cornerback Rodarius Williams (6-0, 189 pounds).
Here is everything you need to know about the sixth-round draft choice:
Gained a wealth of experience playing early in his career ... A four-year starter who set the Oklahoma State career record with 48 consecutive starts, which also ranked as the longest streak among all active FBS defensive backs in his final season ... His 48 career starts also ranked No. 3 on the list of total starts in OSU history ... His 31 career pass breakups ranked sixth in OSU history and fourth among all active FBS players in his final season ... His career average of 0.69 passes defended per game ranked fourth among all active Big 12 players in his final season.
2020 (Senior): Took his game to a higher level in his final year at OSU, becoming one of the premier shut down cornerbacks in college football ... Pro Football Focus graded him as the No. 20 FBS cornerback in the 2020 season and as the No. 4 FBS cornerback in tackling ... According to PFF, he was the only FBS cornerback to face at least 240 coverage snaps (he faced 255) and allow no more than 10 catches ... Earned second team All-Big 12 honors from both the coaches and the AP ... Started the first nine games of the season before missing the final two in order to rehabilitate an injury and prepare for the NFL Draft ... Served as a game captain vs. Tulsa, Iowa State and Texas Tech ... His seven pass breakups tied for the team lead ... Also added 18 total tackles in 9 total games on the year, with a tackle for loss and a forced fumble vs. Oklahoma ... His best game of the season came against West Virginia, when he was targeted four times and delivered four pass breakups ... His performance against the WVU receivers helped create nine quarterback hurries and five sacks as he earned PFF National Defensive Player of the Week and OSU Defensive Player of the Game vs. the Mountaineers ... Recorded multiple tackles in five games, with a season-high of five vs. OU ... Included on the preseason watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award ... Invited to the Reese's Senior Bowl.
2019 (Junior): A starter in all 13 games ... Ranked fifth on the team with 58 tackles and also had six pass breakups, a quarterback hurry and 1.5 tackles for loss to his credit ... Set a career high with nine tackles against Oregon State and had seven against Iowa State ... Broke up three passes against Kansas ... An important player on an Oklahoma State defense that made significant improvement from the previous season ... In 2018, the Cowboys allowed an average of 32.5 points and 452.5 yards per game, but in 2019, those numbers improved to 26.8 points per game and 412.3 yards per game ... The Cowboys of 2019 held each of their final six opponents below their season scoring average.
2018 (Sophomore): An everyday starter who led the team with two interceptions and ranked second on the squad with eight pass breakups ... Had 49 tackles, 40 of which were solo stops ... Picked off a pass in the end zone against Baylor and added a second interception to stamp out a drive against Iowa State ... Broke up two passes in games against Iowa State and Missouri State and was credited with one pass breakup against Texas, Texas Tech, Kansas and South Alabama, respectively ... Had a tackle for loss against Kansas State and assisted on tackles for loss against West Virginia and TCU ... Posted a season high with seven tackles in the Cowboys' win over No. 17 Boise State and had six tackles to help the Cowboys to victory over No. 7 West Virginia ... Additional six-tackle performances came against Oklahoma, Kansas State, Iowa State and Texas Tech.
2017 (Freshman): An everyday starter who seldom came off the field when the Cowboys were on defense ... Should benefit down the road from extensive playing time early in his career ... His 10 passes broken up ranked second on the team and matched the Oklahoma State freshman record set by Chris Rockins in 1980 ... The most memorable of his pass break-ups was an important one in the end zone late in the Cowboys' win at Iowa State ... Logged 44 tackles, 36 of which were solo ... Had a tackle for loss against Texas ... Logged a season-high nine tackles against Iowa State and had seven against TCU.
2016: Redshirt.
High School: Played for coach John Bachman, Sr., at Calvary Baptist Academy … Finished his senior season with 38 total tackles and led the team with five passes defended and four interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns … Also forced a fumble, returned a kickoff for 46 yards and caught two passes for 81 yards … Was an all-district and all-state selection … Junior stats included 31 tackles, five interceptions, six passes defended, one fumble recovery and two pick-sixes … Also a standout basketball player and competed on the track and field team.
Personal: Rodarius Williams was born Sept. 12, 1996, in Shreveport, La. … Son of Lakesha Williams ... His brother, Andraez, plays for the Cleveland Browns ... University studies/business major.
NFL.COM SCOUTING REPORT
- Length and play strength to hold up the release.
- Improved ability to stay in route phase from press in 2020.
- Adequate route recognition.
- Showed ability to wall off receivers from the football on deep throws.
- Physical nature can disorient the catch point.
- Ends the play quickly after the catch.
- Willing to submarine pulling blocks and muddle the run play.
View photos of Giants sixth-round pick Rodarius Williams.
CB Rodarius Williams, Oklahoma State - Round 6, Pick 201
Image Taken at the Oklahoma State Cowboys vs West Virginia Mountaineers Football Game, Saturday, September 26, 2020, Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK. Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics
CB Rodarius Williams
Oklahoma State cornerback Rodarius Williams (8) breaks up a pass intended for Iowa State wide receiver Allen Lazard, right, in the end zone during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Ames, Iowa. Oklahoma State won 49-42. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Oklahoma State cornerback Rodarius Williams, left, fights for the ball with Kansas wide receiver Andrew Parchment (4) on a pass play in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. Officials ruled Parchment caught the pass. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Oklahoma State cornerback Rodarius Williams (8) and Oklahoma State safety Tre Sterling (3) look to the sidelines during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Stillwater, Okla. Oklahoma State defeated Iowa State 24-21.(AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)
Texas A&M wide receiver Quartney Davis (1) is tackled by Oklahoma State cornerback Rodarius Williams (8) during the first half of the Texas Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 27, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Oklahoma State's Rodarius Williams (8) tackles Texas Tech's T.J. Vasher (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Brad Tollefson)
Image Taken at the Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Texas Tech Red Raiders Football Game, Saturday, November 28, 2020, Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK. Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics
Image of Oklahoma State Cowboy Football Player Taken Wednesday, July 17, 2019, Orange Power Studios, Stillwater, OK. Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams runs position drills during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams attempts a broad jump during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams runs a short shuttle during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams runs a short shuttle during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams looks on during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams attempts a vertical jump during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams attempts a vertical jump during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams warms up during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams attempts a vertical jump during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams looks on during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams sits for photos after the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams runs position drills during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams runs position drills during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams runs position drills during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams runs position drills during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams runs position drills during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams runs position drills during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams runs position drills during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams runs a 3 cone shuttle during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams runs position drills during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams runs position drills during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams runs position drills during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams runs position drills during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams runs position drills during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams runs position drills during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams runs position drills during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams runs a short shuttle during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams runs position drills during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams sits for photos after the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams runs the 40-yard dash during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams runs position drills during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams attempts a bench press during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams sits for photos after the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams looks on during the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams sits for photos after the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams sits for photos after the pro day event, Thursday, April 1, 2021 in Stillwater, Okla. (Alika Jenner via AP)
