Jesse

Williams

Considered a first- or at worst second-round prospect by draftniks, Williams fell in the draft after undergoing three college knee surgeries. (Alabama players are awfully banged up.) The Seahawks didn’t mind, snagging him as a fifth-round value pick. He’ll help replace Alan Branch as a two-down run plugger.

Hill is working at both defensive tackle positions while Williams is playing tackle and end. Carroll said Williams will start playing nose tackle as well when they begin training camp next month. Both have gotten work with the first-team, though Williams has the better chance to contribute right away in the vacancy left by Alan Branch’s departure.

Williams played both the five-technique and the nose at Alabama, but the Seahawks need him to help replace Alan Branch. Ideally, Williams will push Tony McDaniel for early-down run-stuffing duties.

Along with teammate Eddie Lacy (hamstring), Williams will run at the Crimson Tide’s Pro Day in late March. The injury is not a long-term concern. Williams, at 6-foot-3, 323, can play the zero or one technique in 3-4 and 4-3 defenses.

Williams is a stout, 6-foot-3, 323-pound “zero technique” nose tackle who could fit defenses like the Ravens, 49ers, or Patriots’. NFP draft guru Russ Lande describes Williams as an athletic nose with an “uncommon” blend of quick feet and “rare” playing strength. He’s definitely on the late first-round radar.

Williams (6-foot-3, 323) grew up playing basketball and rugby in Australia and is a hard-nosed, immovable 3-4 lineman with experience at both five technique and nose. He was Nick Saban’s starting nose tackle in 2012. Country strong with a relentless motor, Williams drew a Haloti Ngata comparison from Doug Farrar of Football Outsiders after film study. Nicknamed “The Monstar,” Williams tallied 61 tackles -- 6.5 for loss -- and 1.5 sacks as a two-year college starter. He ran forty times of 4.92 and 4.94 and pumped 27 bench reps before the draft. Williams apparently fell on draft day due to poor medicals, specifically knee issues. He could play either interior spot or possibly Red Bryant’s defensive end role.

Branch, who signed with the Bills, was an early-down run stuffer. “He’s really intense, jumps off the ball, and is strong,” GM John Schneider said of Williams. “I think he benches 600-something pounds. He’s a guy who will really fill a specific role for us.” Williams will compete with Tony McDaniel for snaps.

This appears to be a “stash” move, as Williams battled nagging knee injuries throughout camp after worry about those same problems killed his draft stock, spiraling a projected first-round prospect into round five. Williams may need another surgery. He’ll return to battle for a roster spot in 2014.

Williams was recently diagnosed with Papillary Type 2 cancer and underwent kidney surgery. The former fifth-round pick out of Alabama will miss the 2015 season, but aims at returning to the football field. We wish him the best.

Williams will undergo kidney surgery and won’t be playing football in 2015. “Although disappointing, I am a fighter and will handle this,” Williams said in a statement. “I am going to focus on my health and fighting this battle with a return to football as my ultimate goal.” Just 24 years old, Williams was the 137th overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft.