Dan

Williams

Williams would probably be a fallback option if the Raiders can’t land coach Jack Del Rio favorite Terrance Knighton. Even without the Raiders, Williams is expected to have a healthy market as an above-average run-plugging nose.

The move creates $4.5 million in cap space and leaves behind no dead money. Signed to a “four-year, $25 million” contract in 2015, Williams was excellent in Year 1, but struggled both from a fitness and production standpoint last season. Williams’ weight has always been a problem. He turns 30 in June. Someone will surely take a flier on Williams as a run plugger.

Last year’s No. 8 defensive tackle in Pro Football Focus’ ratings, Williams was a stud in run defense after signing a four-year, $25 million deal with the Raiders. It’s believed he’s been temporarily demoted because Williams reported to camp a bit out of shape and/or overweight. He’s obviously still well-conditioned enough to practice. Williams should retake his starting job soon.

Williams had a hot market as a very underrated run-stuffing nose tackle. The Raiders opted for him to clog lanes in the middle of their defense instead of Terrance Knighton. Williams, the 26th overall pick in the 2010 draft, should slide in next to DT Antonio Smith, allowing Smith to push the pocket as a pass rusher. The Raiders also signed Saints castoff MLB Curtis Lofton on Wednesday.

A “daily visitor” at the Cardinals’ facility as he rehabs from a broken arm, Williams has apparently finally committed to staying in shape. “I just want my coaches and teammates to trust I’ll be at the right weight,” he said. Williams will be 100 percent for training camp, and should open 2012 as a starter.

“There was a lot of immaturity on my part,” Williams admitted. “It was my first time out of college, I had a lot of money, and I didn’t have to be up here for anything so I really learned my lesson. But I’ll be spending all of my time here in the Valley and working with Coach (John) Lott.” Williams’ second season ended on injured reserve with two fractured bones in his left arm.

Apparently, it’s not something he’ll be able to play through with a club or brace. Williams, the 26th overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft, was finally showing signs of realizing his potential this year. Pro Football Focus has graded Williams positively against the run after a disappointing rookie season, and Arizona doesn’t have another 330-pound defensive lineman to fill the void. This is an injury that could impact fantasy matchups down the stretch.

Williams took a helmet from a diving Stewart Bradley right in the elbow. It was clearly a significant injury from the outset, as he was immediately in a ton of pain. Williams was put in an air cast and carted off the field.

Arizona has been high on sixth-round rookie David Carter, but he’s built more like a defensive end at 6'5/297 whereas Williams was a prototypical stout run plugger. Upgrade opposing running backs against the Cardinals down the stretch. Williams should return as the starter in 2012.

It’s notable because Williams has struggled with weight and conditioning ever since the Cards took him 26th overall in 2010. With his broken arm healed and weight down, he has a stranglehold on the starting nose tackle gig. The Cardinals ranked 21st against the run last season.