Joejuan

Williams

Williams was a second-round pick by the Patriots in 2019 and has played in 36 games over the last three seasons. A shoulder injury ended his 2022 campaign in training camp, and he’ll now look to rebound with the Vikings this season. Since entering the league, Williams has played 552 defensive snaps, starting just one game over that span.

That will end the season for each of them -- at least in a Patriots uniform. Butler was attempting a comeback after spending 2021 out of football, and he looked like a frontrunner for the job in OTAs but eventually lost time to Terrance Mitchell and Jack Jones. Williams had played minimal snaps in his first three seasons and showed up in run defense with his big 6-foot-4 frame, but hadn’t posted a PFF coverage grade above 61.6 since 2019.

A 2019 second-round draft pick and a depth piece of the New England secondary, Williams will miss the entire 2022 season after suffering a shoulder injury in the preseason. The Patriots’ top-end coverage unit gets a little thinner with the loss of Williams.

Taken 45th overall out of Vanderbilt in 2019, Williams has played just 251 defensive snaps across two seasons and 24 appearances. Even in a thin cornerback room, Williams’ spot doesn’t appear to be guaranteed. He’s been getting roasted by N’Keal Harry and others in camp.

New England’s second-round pick last year, Williams totaled 80 defensive snaps (including 62 out wide) behind Stephon Gilmore, Jason McCourty, Jonathan Jones, and J.C. Jackson. With all returning in 2020, the Patriots are obviously looking for Williams to fill some safety-type responsibilities alongside Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, 2020 second-round pick Kyle Dugger and free-agent acquisition Adrian Phillips. Williams previously played safety in New England’s 2019 preseason finale and has the size (6'3/212) to cover tight ends in the slot. Expect the 22-year-old to play both roles (among others) this year.

Williams was cited for speeding (he was going 20 mph over the posted limit) and charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drugs without a prescription and possession of drug paraphernalia after police discovered acetaminophen hydrocodone (more commonly known as Vicodin), valacyclovir hydrocodone and a “large amount” of marijuana in his vehicle. The 22-year-old was booked in Cumberland County jail before posting $37,500 bond the following day. He’ll enter a plea in court on February 21. A second-round pick out of Vanderbilt, Williams logged five tackles over 80 defensive snaps as a rookie in 2019.

Williams was selected with the No. 45 overall pick after earning second-team All-SEC honors in 2018. At the NFL Scouting Combine, Williams ran a pedestrian 4.64-second forty, but he lowered that to 4.55 seconds at his pro day. Williams’ size (6'4/211) makes him an ideal bump-and-run corner, but he needs some developing after allowing too many big plays in college. The Patriots could turn Williams into what they wanted with Brandon Browner.

This confirms previous reports on Williams. A two-year starter and three-year contributor, Williams (6'3/208) dramatically improved his stock this season — setting career highs across the board while ranking second in the SEC with four interceptions. An outside corner with college production, Williams should go in the top three rounds.

Williams (6’4/211) turned pro as a true junior after nickel backing as a freshman and starting his final two seasons, registering 30 career pass breakups with four picks and earning second-team All-SEC from the coaches in 2018. Although Williams managed a 4.64 forty at the Combine, he improved to 4.55 at the Commodores’ Pro Day and projects as a physical bump-and-run corner with imposing length. Williams gave up too many big plays on college tape, but he is a coach’s dream as a moldable ball of clay. If appropriately maximized, Williams can be what the Patriots wanted from Brandon Browner.

Williams (6’4/211) turned pro as a true junior after nickel backing as a freshman and starting his final two seasons, registering 30 career pass breakups with four picks and earning second-team All-SEC from the coaches in 2018. Although Williams managed a 4.64 forty at the Combine, he improved to 4.55 at the Commodores’ Pro Day and projects as a physical bump-and-run corner with imposing length. Williams gave up too many big plays on college tape, but he is a coach’s dream as a moldable ball of clay. If appropriately maximized, Williams can be what the Patriots wanted from Brandon Browner.