Pro Football Weekly has recently completed an eight-part divisional breakdown of players they think will have breakout seasons in 2011, and for the Cardinals, nose tackle Dan Williams is their choice.
Arizona’s top draft pick last season steadily improved as the season wore on sharing time at nose tackle with 14-year veteran Bryan Robinson and five-year pro Gabe Watson. Williams is expected to take over the starting NT job in 2011 from Robinson, a free agent who looks like a long shot to remain with the team.
Williams admitted to having some problems adjusting to the pro level initially, but by year’s end, he was consistently occupying the middle and forcing more than one opposing blocker to keep him from penetrating. They will need Williams to step it up even more this season, considering the Cardinals run defense was ranked 30th last year, giving up an average of 145 yards rushing per game, and 4.4 yards per rush.