The Vikings Visit with Another Free Agent Defensive Lineman
The Minnesota Vikings have seen some of their defensive line depth dwindle over the past week.
The team released Dean Lowry while Khyiris Tonga opted to sign with the Arizona Cardinals. Of course, Minnesota has tried to recoup these losses by signing Jerry Tillery, a former first-round pick, and now, they’ve begun the process of meeting with another defensive lineman, Jonah Williams.
Vikings Have a Visit with a Defensive Lineman
The team announced the meeting via social media, tweeting, “DL Jonah Williams has started his free agent visit with the #Vikings.”
Williams went undrafted out of Weber State in 2020. During his collegiate career, the defensive tackle recorded 194 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, and three forced fumbles while being named the Big Sky Defensive MVP during his senior season.
As an undrafted free agent, Williams signed with the Los Angeles Rams before the 2020 season while Kevin O’Connell was the offensive coordinator of the team. However, he did not play in a single game during that year, spending the season on the practice squad.
Williams did get onto the field for eight games during Los Angeles’ Super Bowl season, though, playing 96 defensive snaps and totaling five tackles.
In the past two seasons, Williams progressively took on a larger role in Los Angeles. He appeared in 16 games during 2022, starting six times, and recording 23 tackles along with half a sack. Then, he emerged as a full-time starter for the Rams in 2023 by starting 16 games and playing 598 defensive snaps.
During the 2023 campaign, Williams recorded 49 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, and a pass defended. He also recorded three tackles, including a tackle for loss, in the Wild Card round of the playoffs against the Detroit Lions.
The Vikings were unable to get into the major sweepstakes for defensive linemen this offseason, watching names like Sheldon Rankins, D.J. Reader, and Christian Wilkins go off the board to different teams. However, Minnesota needs to continue to build their defensive line.
As things currently stand the Vikings have four names on their defensive line: Jonathan Bullard, Harrison Phillips, Jaquelin Roy, and Tillery. If Williams were to join the squad, he would create another potential pass rushing presence on the defensive front.
Williams will turn 29 years old in August.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.