Will Saints Consider Signing Free Agents Williams or Bowers?
In a recent article I mentioned how the New Orleans Saints were wise to load up on players for their defensive line.
The club continues that notion as they’ve reportedly hosted or will be hosting two veteran defensive linemen this week.
WWL’s 1350AM Kristen Garic reported on Monday that the Saints were hosting defensive tackle Kevin Williams for a visit.
#Saints host FA DT Kevin Williams on visit, per source. Free agent DT played with #Seattle last season. Drafted in 2003 by #vikings #depth
— Kristian Garic (@KristianGaric) May 12, 2015
Then ESPN 97.5 Houston’s Jayson Braddock mentioned Wednesday that the Saints would be hosting defensive end Da’Quan Bowers this week as well.
Nothing has been announced with Williams with Bowers visit to New Orleans still on the horizon.
It’s surprising that the Saints are still bringing in players that could contribute along the defensive line especially with both of these players.
Dec 28, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Kevin Williams (94) stretches during pre game warmups against the St. Louis Rams at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Williams has been in steady decline since leaving the Minnesota Vikings who drafted him in 2003 in the first round.
Just three years ago in 2011 Pro Football Focus had Williams ranked as the 9th best defensive tackle with a rating of 10.2 overall(7.3 rushing the passer and 4.6 against the run).
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Fast forward to his one-year stint in 2014 with the Seattle Seahawks and Williams slipped all the way to the 139th slot with a rating of -1.7 overall(-0.9 in rushing the passer and -2.6 against the run).
Williams also only started 8 games for Seattle which is the first time in his career starting less than 14 games(in 2005 and 2011).
Bowers is likely looking to resurrect his career after a disappointing four seasons in the league.
Selected in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft with the 51st overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the former Clemson defensive lineman failed to live up to high expectations and hype.
Injuries, an arrest for having a loaded handgun at La Guardia Airport in 2013, and a two-game suspension for a performance enhancing drug violation in 2014 have marred Bowers career.
His only positive season according to Pro Football Focus was in 2012 where he was rated at 2.4 overall(-2.6 in pass rush and 2.9 in run defense).
Ironically this positive ranked season happened even though Bowers only played in 10 games that season and played half or less than half of all snaps on defense(292 total).
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It’s likely that the Saints are doing their homework on both players just in case of injuries especially with the rookie mini-camp coming up this weekend.
Williams seems to be on the backend of his career and you could get a bit more excited if the 2011 or prior version of him was visiting.
Bowers has apparently never found the right end of his career to go towards after a promising college career that has never translated to the NFL.
The Saints have also taken a look at defensive tackle Corey Wootton almost a month ago and could possibly bring in more veteran free agents for a visit.
Oct 5, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) touches Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) after he was sacked by New York Giants defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (95) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The New York Giants defeated the Atlanta Falcons 30-20.Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Others like defensive tackle C.J. Mosley and defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka are just a few names still left out there for the Saints to bring in if they are looking for more depth.
Williams could have the best shot of getting a one-year deal with the Saints considering his experience in the league.
If the Saints do take a chance on Bowers then he could be the second coming of Bobby McCray that the team saw in 2009…just one with a little more baggage…..