Duke

Williams

Williams will be in the mix at strong safety opposite Jairus Byrd, but GM Buddy Nix has hinted he could also see time in the slot. A textbook tackler, Williams should feature on special teams.

Williams (5-foot-11, 203) made 37 starts for the Wolf Pack, tallying 15.5 career tackles for loss, five fumbles forced, and four picks. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah has described Williams as “an excellent force player” with strong run-support skills. He also offers experience covering slot receivers and sideline-to-sideline jets (4.43 forty). Williams will likely contribute immediately on special teams and could develop into a starting free safety. It’s an area of need for the Bills after they lost George Wilson in free agency.

It’s notable because Bills nickel CBs Ron Brooks and Justin Rogers struggled badly last season, and Buffalo did nothing to address the position this offseason. Williams (5-foot-11, 203) is known as a solid tackler, and he’s also versatile. Off-the-field issues knocked him down draft boards.

A 2013 fourth-round pick out of Nevada, Williams failed to nail down a starting job when given the opportunity last year and was prone to on-field miscues when he did get snaps. The Bills’ starters at safety are Aaron Williams and Corey Graham with Duke, Jonathan Meeks, Colt Anderson, and Robert Blanton behind them.

Williams became expendable when the Bills signed veteran safety James Ihedigbo on Tuesday. The former fourth-round pick has logged 91 snaps this season including just one against the Seahawks in Week 11. The Bills will move forward with Ihedigbo, Robert Blanton, Sergio Brown, Corey Graham and Jonathan Meeks at safety.

A former fourth-round pick of the Bills, Williams has lots of experience and is only 26 years old. The Colts need safety help after losing Clayton Geathers.

There are no surprises. The Colts are healthy going into Week 16.

Williams was listed at 200 pounds last year. The Bills are asking him to play closer to the line of scrimmage in Rex Ryan’s scheme. With Corey Graham moving to safety, Williams should remain in a part-time role.

Williams is expected to replace Da’Norris Searcy in base sets, but isn’t locked into an every-down role after splitting time last year. The Bills haven’t ruled out replacing Williams with Corey Graham in sub packages.

Corey Graham appears ticketed for cornerback. Williams’ primary competition thus far has been Da’Norris Searcy, who’s more of a run-support safety. Williams (5'11/203) runs 4.43 and has experience covering slot receivers from his college days at Nevada. Williams only played 35 defensive snaps as a rookie.