The Los Angeles Chargers are adding experience and size to a defensive room that has put a big emphasis on adding both the last two offseasons. They signed veteran defensive tackle Nick Williams, which was first reported Friday by former backup quarterback Chase Daniel.
Chargers Great Loves the Addition of Nick Williams
Count Chargers linebacker/EDGE great Shawne Merriman as one who likes the addition of the longtime interior defender, with “Lights Out” calling him a “great pickup” after the Chargers announced the signing.
Williams, 33, continues to be a mainstay in the NFL after being selected in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 6’4″, 310-pounder was let go by the Steelers following his rookie campaign and eventually landed with the Kansas City Chiefs. That was where Williams became a rotational piece with a combined 16 games of action in his two seasons there.
Then, in 2019, Williams got his first chance at a starting role, as he was on the Chicago Bears’ first-team defense for five games and responded with a career-best of 42 tackles, 24 solo stops, six sacks, and five tackles for a loss.
Williams then made his way over to the Detroit Lions for the next two seasons, where he started in a combined 30 games, including starting in all 17 games for the 2021 campaign. Williams ended that year with 27 tackles, 14 solo stops, and four tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
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Last season, Williams played in eight games with seven starts alongside the likes of Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Azeez Ojulari in the New York Giants front seven. Williams only hit 15 tackles with five stops by himself, but the G-Men used him more to clog running lanes along the trenches.
Williams has 42 career starts with 125 total tackles (67 of those solo), 7.5 sacks, and a dozen stops behind the line of scrimmage.
How Williams Fits the Chargers’ Odd-Front Scheme
Williams is joining a veteran-led trench unit.
Sebastian Joseph-Day has a Super Bowl ring in tow and will anchor the nose for Brandon Staley and his exotic odd-man base front as he enters Year 2 with the Chargers after coming over from the Rams.
Morgan Fox is entering his seventh season in the league but delivered the best sack production of his career (6.5) in his reunion with Staley — as both were together on the Rams until 2021.
As for the newcomers, 2023 sixth-rounder Scott Matlock and undrafted rookie Jerrod Clark can bolster the interior.
But this is a defense designed to free up the best pass rushers (veterans Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack) and send out a fury of blitzes, including from safety Derwin James, who’s turned into one of the more complete players at his position. Williams fits perfectly as a locksmith type who’ll open the door for the outside rushers.
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Again, the Giants threw him near the center to tangle with the inside of the offensive line and occupy two blockers. But that was enough for EDGEs like Thibodeaux to draw a solo battle and then slip through for the stop. Williams’ presence can also assist LB Eric Kendricks on designed blitzes.
Williams is a late addition, but one who adds more experience and muscle to the league’s 21st-ranked defense from a year ago.