Panthers rookie Daryl Williams’ strong showing earns him looks at left tackle

Carolina Panthers rookie offensive tackle Daryl Williams is a man of few words, but that hasn’t stopped him from being noticed during his first few weeks as a pro.

Williams worked mostly with the second team at right tackle in training camp at Spartanburg, but his role has expanded since a strong showing in the practices with the Dolphins last week. Williams has taken snaps at both right and left tackle, which has allowed the coaching staff to experiment with different combinations up front.

Coach Ron Rivera said Williams, a fourth-round pick from Oklahoma, has developed quickly much the way right guard Trai Turner did as a rookie last season.

“He’s progressing very nicely,” Rivera said of Williams. “One thing we are starting to do is look at him a little more at left tackle, as well. He’s done some nice things as a right tackle.”

Williams (6-6, 335) said the reps against Miami defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and defensive end Cameron Wake were valuable, though he only would go so far as to say he did “all right” against the Dolphins’ highly regarded linemen.

But Rivera believes Williams’ success against Miami gave him a big confidence boost.

“Last week he looked good in those 1-on-1s,” Rivera said. “I think the realization that he’s capable of playing up to that level kind of sparked him. And as you watched him play, you saw the physicality. “

This story was originally published August 25, 2015 at 4:58 PM with the headline "Panthers rookie Daryl Williams’ strong showing earns him looks at left tackle."