Chiefs sign restricted free agent NT Xavier Williams

The Kansas City Chiefs have signed nose tackle Xavier Williams, as first reported by Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star.

Williams was a restricted free agent, but the Arizona Cardinals, his former team, declined to match the Chiefs’ offer.

Williams, 26, originally signed with the Cardinals in 2015 as an undrafted free agent out of Northern Iowa. Before Northern Iowa, Williams played high school ball locally at Grandview High School.

Williams, who is listed at 6-feet-2 and 309 pounds, started just two games for the Cardinals in three seasons, tallying 28 combined tackles (22 solo), a forced fumble and a half of a sack.

We first learned Williams was visiting the Chiefs over the weekend and the team struck a deal on Tuesday.

Pro Football Focus ranked Williams as an “above average” defensive lineman, 42nd out of all graded defensive linemen.

Bennie Logan’s free agency has left a vacancy at the Chiefs’ nose tackle position, and Williams should have an opportunity to earn a starting role there as the roster stands now.