Demond Williams Jr. Ideal NFL Backup Quarterback

University of Washington quarterback (QB) Demond Williams Jr. is a little sparkplug.

Keyword: little

Williams looks even smaller than his listed size on game film. But let’s not let his diminutive-looking frame get in the way too much.

Williams can ball.

I’ll say this…

He grew on me. The more I studied him, the more I was seeing it.

For the first four games, I was thinking, “undraftable free agent,” and “he’d be good running the scout team.”

Then⎯

Starting with the Maryland game, he was more decisive, and I began to see a different vision. He was developing right in front of my eyes!

Do I see him as an NFL franchise QB?

No.

Not at this point.

Do I see him as being a career NFL backup?

Yes, and a darn good one.

Williams is exactly what an NFL team wants in a backup. He’s the type of quarterback who can come into a game and ignite an offense for a game or a stretch of games. He’d be perfect behind an established NFL superstar dual-role quarterback.

⎯and⎯

Williams proved on his 2025 game film that he does a decent job keeping the ball out of harm’s way when he throws it. He threw eight interceptions and had 15 passes broken up in 13 games (1.15 per-game average).

Ball security…

That’s a biggie.

What are some more of his strengths?

• Poise (can hang in there and deliver with the pass rush closing)
• Good arm strength
• Toughness
• Has some “playmaking ability”

What are some of his weaknesses?

• Tends to hold the ball too long (2025 Pro Football Focus: 3.21 seconds)
• Can disappear in the pocket and get swallowed by the pass rush (2025: 31 sacks)
• Depends too much on his arm strength when releasing (he puts too much “hips” into his throws and he “pushes” the ball downfield)
• Tends to overthrow deep passes (19/50: 38% on +20 air yard throws)
• Average pass coverage reading ability (occasionally doesn’t see defenders in coverage)

Is there such a thing as something being a positive and a negative?

Yes.

What am I talking about?

Williams’ running ability.

In what ways is it a “positive?”

Williams is a dynamic runner with good speed and quickness. He has what it takes to make a man miss in the open field, and he’s capable of picking up good chunks of yardage as a runner.

In what ways is it a “negative?”

Williams RUNS TOO MUCH. He had 143 rushing attempts in 2025, and he absorbed A LOT of contact in the process. While he shows he can slide and run out of bounds, that’s not his natural proclivity. I saw him cut some runs back inside.

Take away

Williams earned my respect.

I am not one of these old-school evaluators who requires a prospect to “check all the boxes.”

After all, the biggest muscle in the body is the heart, as they say.

And Williams plays with a lot of heart.

#2 Demond Williams 5-foot-11, 191 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2026 Spring Grade: Fourth-Round (I would select him)

🚩 HIGH INJURY RISK

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be a Sixth-Round prospect as of August 17, 2026

2025 game film evaluated: Colorado State, UC Davis, Washington State, Ohio State, Maryland, Rutgers, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Purdue, UCLA, Oregon, and Boise State (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Jedd Fisch details Demond Williams Jr.’s transfer portal fiasco (Huskies Wire)

2027 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Dual-role prospect. Mostly operated out of shotgun formation. Took a small percentage of snaps under center. Mix of verbal and clapping cadence. Athletic. Shows some emotion. Solid footwork. Can function inside and outside the pocket. Inconsistent pocket presence. Has some escapability from pass rush pressure. Flashed the ability to get the ball out of his hand on time. Makes one-to-two read progressions. Throws with below-average-to-average anticipation. Can lock in with receivers. Pats the ball pre-delivery—average overall ball placement.

What to watch for during the 2026 college football season?

1. Is he holding onto the ball too long in the pocket before throwing it?

2. Is he running the ball a lot?

3. How does his deep passing game look (+20 air yards)?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as appearing as a guest on ESPN Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and Fearless with Jason Whitlock. Featured in USA Today. For more information, visit whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.