Shawn

Williams

A starter for a half decade in Cincinnati, Williams was demoted to reserve status last season. He was allowed to walk in free agency before signing with the Cardinals in late March. Now on the wrong side of 30, Williams’ starting days are through, but he will presumably get calls from teams who need some experienced snaps in a pinch.

Williams, 30 in May, played the first eight years of his career with the Bengals. Although he previously finished as the team’s leader in tackles in 2019, Williams was moved to a backup role last year (despite being named a team captain) and primarily played special teams. His arrival means the Cardinals will likely forgo bringing back special teamer/safety Chris Banjo.

Williams intentionally cleated Dolphins rookie OG Solomon Kindley in the back of the leg.

S Shawn Williams will also miss Week 1’s matchup against the Chargers. The team will be without CB Trae Waynes too after he tore a pectoral in August. The Bengals’ secondary injury woes should be a boon for Tyrod Taylor and the Chargers’ passing game in a game that has sneaky high-scoring upside.

The Bengals have been impressed with Williams’ grasp of the playbook so far, and reportedly love his physical nature. Last year’s pick, George Iloka is having a good summer, but projects similarly to Nelson as a free safety. Williams brings more of an in-the-box skill set, which defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has successfully utilized in the past. Veteran Taylor Mays has proven to be nothing more than a role player.

An in-the-box specialist, Williams has 4.46 speed, but lacks fluidity and ball skills. Competing with Taylor Mays and 2012 fifth-rounder George Iloka to start opposite Reggie Nelson, Williams has a strong chance of getting on the field as a rookie. The Bengals’ mauling defensive line should make life easier on Williams in coverage as he learns the NFL game.

Williams (5-11, 213) made 30 starts for the Dawgs, playing strong safety across from FS Bacarri Rambo. Williams logged 10.5 tackles for loss, and four career picks. He is a run-support maven lacking fluidity and ball skills, but helped himself with a 4.46 forty at the Combine. Williams should have little trouble making an early impact on kickoff and punt coverage.

Williams will be competing with former second-round bust Taylor Mays and 2012 fifth-rounder George Iloka, so it shouldn’t be hard to crack the lineup. Williams is solid in run-support, which would complement Nelson’s coverage skills well.

Iloka, a fifth-round pick out of Boise State last year, has prototypical size at 6-foot-4, 225 with 34.5-inch arms, but he’s an iffy tackler. Most expect third-round rookie Shawn Williams to eventually win the starting job.

Per Jamison Hensley, it’s “apparent” that Williams has “more of a feel for that position” than Taylor Mays. Williams’ is really competing against George Iloka and Jeromy Miles, but his in-the-box prowess should allow him to win out. He’s a nice complement to coverage specialist Reggie Nelson.