Trevardo

Williams

Montgomery strained his back on the first day of camp, but Williams was a better 3-4 outside linebacker prospect to begin with. Williams has a real chance to be Houston’s No. 3 rush ‘backer as a rookie, behind Brooks Reed and Whitney Mercilus. “Tremendous speed,” Kubiak said of Williams. “He can really run.” An explosive if undersized pass rusher, Williams ran 4.57 at the Combine.

Williams played with his hand in the ground at UConn and led the Big East with 11.5 sacks as a senior, but he projects much better as an outside ‘backer in the Texans’ 3-4. After rookie minicamp, coach Gary Kubiak said Williams is “a little ahead of” third-rounder Sam Montgomery for No. 3 rush ‘backer duties.

Williams (6-1, 241) led the Big East with 11.5 sacks as a senior, and graduated as the Huskies’ all-time leader (30.5). He added 40.5 career tackles for loss and five forced fumbles. A pure speed rusher, Williams will get swallowed up by run-blocking NFL linemen, but should help on nickel downs and cover kicks on special teams. He ran 4.57 at the Combine with a 1.61 ten-yard split and 10-foot-4 broad jump.

It’s unclear what Williams’ injury is, but his leg got “rolled up” in the preseason finale. The fourth-rounder will spend his rookie year “redshirting” on injured reserve. He was ticketed for special teams in year one.

Keep in mind Ryan Kerrigan is sitting out following a knee scope. Trent Murphy is locked in at strong-side outside linebacker. Though Smith is mostly known for his pass-rushing skills, the versatile 22-year-old is quick enough to contain the edge and can even drop back in coverage when needed. Smith will likely end up as a regular part of Washington’s oft-used nickel alignment.

A Texans 2013 fourth-round pick, Williams was claimed off waivers by Arizona last week. It may be a sign OLB John Abraham is close to reporting to camp.

With John Abraham (personal) yet to report to camp, Williams gives the Cardinals depth at outside linebacker. He spent last season on I.R. and was cut by Houston after spending the first week of training camp on active/PUP. A 2013 fourth-round pick, Williams will compete for a spot on the 53-man roster.

The Texans have already cut or placed on injured reserve a whopping six members of their nine-man 2013 draft class. Williams spent his entire rookie season on I.R. and then started this camp on active/PUP before coming off that list Thursday. As a 2013 fourth-round pick with some speed pass-rushing ability, Williams will likely land in another camp before long.