Williams spent the majority of his first five NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, developing from an undrafted prospect into a regular starter on a playoff-caliber defense. In 2023, he logged a career-high number of starts, starting 16 games alongside star Aaron Donald. Earlier this month, New Orleans had already shown interest in Williams, signing him to the Saints’ practice squad on Sept. 7 before moving on two days later. His return adds more experienced depth to the Saints’ defensive front, especially after posting a career-high three sacks with New Orleans in 2025.
Williams’ journey with the Rams began in 2020, when he joined the team as an undrafted free agent out of Weber State. He spent his rookie season on the practice squad and gradually earned more playing time. By 2022, he had started six of 16 appearances, and his role expanded further the following year. In 2023, Williams appeared in all 17 regular-season games for the Rams, starting 16. He finished with 49 tackles, two sacks, four tackles for loss, and four quarterback hits. While Aaron Donald remained the centerpiece of the defensive line, Williams emerged as a reliable piece around him as the Rams advanced back to the playoffs.
The Rams’ assessment of Williams’ contributions over 2021–23 showed 77 tackles, eight quarterback hits, and 2.5 sacks across 42 games and 22 starts. After that season, Williams left the Rams but stayed in the NFL, returning to the team in October 2024 after being signed off Minnesota’s practice squad to fill an immediate need on the defensive line.
In New Orleans, Williams signed a one-year contract in March 2025. He delivered his best pass-rushing season to date, recording three sacks and contributing as part of the Saints’ defensive-front rotation. The Saints retained him through the 2026 offseason before roster moves saw him released during final cuts, placed on the practice squad on Sept. 7, and then released from the practice squad on Sept. 9. Five days later, he rejoined the club on the practice squad again.
The latest move signals that the Saints remain interested in keeping a veteran with extensive starting experience and the ability to contribute across multiple defensive schemes. Williams offers a player with a track record of starting, playing in various fronts, and generating pressure from the interior.
For fans of the Rams, Williams’ return to the NFL after a brief stint away underscores the arc of his career—from undrafted free agent to a 16-game starter on a playoff-caliber defense to his ongoing role with New Orleans. As Williams remains on the Saints’ radar, his broad experience and consistency could provide continued depth and versatility on the defensive line.
