Chiefs Reportedly Looking at Xavier Williams

According to Field Yates, the Chiefs are looking into Xavier Williams, a restricted free agent who played for the Arizona Cardinals over the last 3 years.

The Cardinals tagged Williams with an “original round” tender. Because he was an undrafted free agent, if the Chiefs make an offer that the Cardinals choose not to match, the Cardinals will not receive any compensation (I know, this gets confusing after a while).

Williams is a 3 year vet who is 26 years old, so he fits a certain profile from what we’ve seen of Brett Veach (mostly: be relatively young and have upside). He’s listed at 6’2”, 309 pound, but it’s worth noting those numbers are from the combine 3 years ago.

I haven’t reviewed Williams, but Brandon Thorn (a guy whose work I generally appreciate) thinks of him as a decent player with some upside.

Pro Football Focus also seemed to think of Williams as a “decent” player, ranking him as an “above average” defensive lineman, 42nd out of all graded defensive linemen.

I personally haven’t reviewed any of his film, but based on the few snaps I surveyed very quickly he appeared to line up as a 0-tech or as a 1-tech frequently ( right across from the center or in either gap to the side of the center). He’s 94 in the gif below, which tells me that if he’s not blocked he’s an all-pro level player.

Given the current state of the defense line, this is a signing that interests me at this point (without reviewing the film, it’s tough to say more). The Chiefs need more bodies up front, and it’s good to see they know this.