CHICAGO -- Leonard Williams couldn't help smiling at the question from a reporter: Dante Fowler Jr. says he's the best defensive player in the draft, how about you?
"I respect his confidence," Williams said Wednesday following a "Play 60" event in Chicago. "I feel like every player is going to have to have that type of confidence to do well at the next level, but at the same time I feel like I'm the best defensive player."
What about the best player?
"Yeah, I feel like I should be taken No. 1," he said with a smile.
While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will likely deprive him of that opportunity by taking a quarterback, the Tennessee Titans have been linked to Williams with the No. 2 overall pick.
"I love the D-line coach (Giff Smith), we have a pretty good connection," he said when asked about the Titans. "The defensive scheme they showed me, I feel like I'd fit in pretty well. With (defensive lineman) Jurrell Casey being from USC, I feel like he would be a good mentor for me."
Williams told Around The NFL's Chris Wesseling that he believes he fits in any defensive scheme.
"I think I will flourish in whatever defensive front I play in. In a 3-4, I'll play defensive end. In a 4-3, I'll probably most likely want to play a D-tackle," he said.
The 20-year-old beast is considered by many to be the most talented player in the draft, including NFL Media's scouting experts Mike Mayock and Daniel Jeremiah. But with skill position players expected to go early, Williams could fall down the draft.
The 302-pound lineman said he's not worried where he lands, because it's not something he controls.
Williams said growing up his mother was an Oakland Raiders fan and his dad a Dallas Cowboys fan. When asked about the prospect of the Raiders taking him at No. 4, Williams broke out another smile.
"I think that would be awesome to stay in California," he said. "I'd love to play for a fan base like that."
Come Thursday night, he and the rest of his first-round mates will find out where their future lies.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast previews the 2015 NFL Draft and breaks down the biggest rumors and storylines. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
