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3 years later: Re-evaluating the Detroit Lions’ 2016 draft class

By Jeremy Friedrichs

CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 19: A'Shawn Robinson #91 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after defeating the Chicago Bears 27-24 at Soldier Field on November 19, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 19: A'Shawn Robinson #91 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after defeating the Chicago Bears 27-24 at Soldier Field on November 19, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images /

Antwione Williams, LB

Selected: Fifth round / pick #30 (169th overall)
School: Georgia Southern
Position: Linebacker
Career statistics: 14 games, 3 starts, 20 tackles
Current status: In training camp with Carolina Panthers

Williams (pictured above) was looked at purely as a developmental player and possible early special teams contributor coming out of Georgia Southern. Injuries to other Lions linebackers and the overall ineffectiveness of the unit in 2016 led to Williams playing more than was expected, and definitely more than he should have as a rookie.

He appeared in 14 games, but along with the rest of the linebacking corps, he failed to make any game-changing plays. He was surprisingly released by Detroit prior to his second season, as the Lions completely overhauled the position group.

Williams has spent the last two seasons exclusively on practice squads, for the Minnesota Vikings in 2017 and for the Carolina Panthers last year, appearing in no regular season games. He remains on the Panthers’ roster at press time.

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