Known for his cerebral nature and versatility, Jonah Williams, an offensive tackle from the University of Alabama, becomes an important piece to the Bengals offensive puzzle.
Here are the five things to know about the Bengals' 2019 first round pick.
1. Numbers Don't Lie - In 2018 at Alabama Williams played 466 pass block snaps, and he did not allow a sack. Going back to his sophomore season, he allowed just one sack in 840 pass blocking snaps. He also had 48 knockdown blocks in 2018, and 22 in 2017. Among all FBS offensive tackles in 2018, Williams ranked eighth in Pro Football Focus' pass-blocking-efficiency metric.
2. Five-Star Stud - Williams arrived at the University of Alabama as a five-star recruit ranked 17th overall in the nation. A starter since his debut in 2016, Williams moved from right tackle to left tackle after Cam Robinson went pro. Williams was a big part of three teams who played in national championship games.
3. Rare Company – As great as Alabama has been with developing top flight NFL players, offensive linemen drafted in the first round have been rare. Williams is the first Alabama offensive tackle taken in the first round since D.J. Fluker went 11th in 2013.
4. Goal Getter - Williams is known for his cerebral play and pragmatic approach to the game. It's not too surprising he came to Tuscaloosa with a focus on completing three goals.
"It was one of my big goals coming here — to start, be an All-American and graduate in three years," Williams said to Bamaonline.com on Dec. 15, 2018. "It was kind of a plan that was set in motion in high school. I graduated high school early and took AP classes and stuff to kind of get some credits and get ahead. Probably had nine credits to spare, graduating now. It's exciting."
5. Win Baby Win - Over his past six football seasons, Williams' teams have posted a gaudy 86-5 record. Alabama posted a 41-3 mark with a national championship in 2017 book-ended by a pair of losses to Clemson in the title game during his three seasons with the Crimson Tide. His Folsom (California) High School squad went 45-2 over three years with a state championship and two losses in the state semifinals.
Images of the Bengals' 2019 first round pick, offensive tackle Jonah Williams from the NFL combine and his career at Alabama.
Portrait of Alabama offensive lineman Jonah Williams at the NFL Combine, Thursday, February 28, 2019, in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Alabama offensive lineman Jonah Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama offensive lineman Jonah Williams (73) lines up for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisiana-Lafayette, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama offensive lineman Jonah Williams (73) looks for a block during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama offensive lineman Jonah Williams runs the 40-yard dash in this pan motion image during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Jonah Williams, OT | Round 1
Alabama tackle Jonah Williams poses with his new jersey after the Cincinnati Bengals selected Williams in the first round at the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Alabama tackle Jonah Williams poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after the Cincinnati Bengals selected Williams in the first round at the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Alabama tackle Jonah Williams takes the stage after the Cincinnati Bengals selected him in the first round at the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Alabama tackle Jonah Williams signs an autograph as he walks the red carpet ahead of the first round at the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Alabama tackle Jonah Williams poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after the Cincinnati Bengals selected Williams in the first round at the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn.(AP Photo/Steve Helber)
