P.J.

Williams

He was questionable to return after walking off, but did not come back into the game. Williams has had some spot starts behind Marcus Maye’s injuries, but isn’t an every-game starter for the Saints this season.

Williams has been playing more deep safety over the last two years after starting his career as purely a slot corner. This is his second-straight one-year contract to come back to New Orleans, and he may be relied on more heavily now that the Ravens snatched Marcus Williams away in free agency.

The entire contract is fully guaranteed. Williams has historically struggled as the team’s starting slot corner, most recently allowing 21-of-29 targets in coverage last year to be caught, but is at least familiar with the system. He’ll likely start yet again as the Saints continue to weave themselves underneath the cap.

New Orleans will be missing its slot corner in Williams. With Mike Evans active, Chris Godwin should be used plenty in the slot instead of being split out wide.

Williams was primarily used as New Orleans’ slot corner last year, playing a team-high 425 snaps from that position. Even so, he was asked to split out wide for 169 snaps along the perimeter in Weeks 10-12 and log another 74 at free safety in the Saints’ final two regular season contests. 27 in June, Williams doesn’t know with certainty where he’ll line up in 2020 but is open to change following a one-year, $2 million contract to re-join the team.

The Saints’ primary slot corner last season, Williams ended up playing a good deal of safety down the stretch and in the playoffs. Williams is also capable of playing outside. Two months shy of his 26th birthday, Williams’ increasing versatility should ensure he continues to see plenty of snaps in 2020. The slot remains his most likely home.

The Saints’ slot corner was arrested for drunk driving in January. This is his league-mandated punishment. It’s a speed bump for a defense that’s been erasing opposing passing attacks for the better part of a month. Williams will miss contests with the Bears and Cardinals before returning against the Falcons following the Saints’ Week 9 bye. That’s also when Drew Brees is due back. Patrick Robinson will man the middle in the interim.

It’s still possible Williams faces a league-mandated suspension. The Saints’ nickel corner was a liability for much of 2018 after replacing Patrick Robinson (ankle, IR) early in the season.

New Orleans signed CB Patrick Robinson last offseason to take snaps off Williams’ back, but Robinson ended up breaking his ankle in September. That left Williams to again handle nickel duties between Marshon Lattimore and trade acquisition Eli Apple. Williams graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 103 cover corner out of 123 qualifiers. Williams is best-suited as a dime back.

The impending free agent was booked for drunk driving and careless driving around 1:10 in the morning overnight and bonded out a little more than three hours later. Williams was the Saints’ nickel back this season, covering the slot for the team. This is Williams’ second known drunk driving offense after getting one in 2015 in Tallahassee as a prospect out of Florida State.