Carolina Panthers: 2006 NFL Draft do-over (7 rounds)
By Josh Linares
Scouting Report. LSU. 87. Pick Analysis. DT. KYLEWILLIAMS. 121. player
Carolina Panthers 2006 Draft: Kyle Williams over Nate Salley (No. 121)
This is another pick where picking anyone other than Nate Salley would have been an upgrade. He only played two seasons and finished his career with 11 tackles and no starts for the Carolina Panthers.
Kyle Williams, on the other hand, was one of the best defensive tackles in the league. He spent all 12 of his years with the Buffalo Bills. Not a lot of players are that loyal to a franchise. And it provided a solid foundation from which to build.
Williams made six Pro Bowls in his career and was the heart and soul of the Bills defense from almost the moment he stepped onto the field. The Panthers could boast arguably the best pass-rushes in the league having Elvis Dumervil, Williams, and Julius Peppers in this scenario. And this would have had huge ramifications on the organization.
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Not only was Williams a great player, but he was one of the best teammates and leaders the league has ever seen. He would have been a great addition to the Panthers and would have been a much better pick than Salley.
Having such a prolific player and leader going forward could have made the difference between a Super Bowl or not. The team came close when Williams was still playing. And there’s no telling just what impact he could have made.