Darious Williams named one of the worst free agent signings this offseason

Bleacher Report was not impressed by the Rams bringing back Williams for the 2024 campaign

The Los Angeles Rams have had a reasonably strong offseason with the 2024 NFL Draft on the horizon. LA needed to make additional quality moves following the team’s return to the postseason after a one-year hiatus. However, not everyone has loved what the Rams did in free agency.

Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report named LA’s reunion with cornerback Darious Williams as one of the 14 worst free agent signings this offseason. This is all that Fowler had to say about the transaction:

“While Darious Williams was paid handsomely to start opposite of Tre’Davious White, there’s only so much to expect from an undersized perimeter corner who’s allowed nearly 2,000 yards in coverage over the last three seasons.

Although Williams spent his first four seasons of his NFL career with the Rams, the team didn’t re-sign him back in 2021 for a reason. And furthermore, expecting the former UDFA out of UAB to evolve into a lockdown perimeter stalwart would be well-wishing considering his age (31).

It wouldn’t be a shock if GM Les Snead were to add corner talent early in the NFL draft,” Fowler wrote in his April 15 column.

On the flip side, Tre’Davious White might end up being one of the most underrated moves of the NFL offseason if he can return to form. As for Williams, I understand why Les Snead made the move. Williams has familiarity with the scheme and Snead likely wanted a player he knew well enough to help build up the secondary. Plus, the defender put together a solid final campaign with the Jaguars in 2023.

There is a legitimate debate as to whether Williams can maintain an ounce of that production entering the first year of his three-year deal. He is already on the wrong side of 30 which is troublesome for someone at his position.

Again, I do understand why Snead made the move and I don’t entirely disagree with it. Three years is still quite an investment for a 31-year-old corner who will be the Rams’ highest-paid defender for this upcoming season. Let’s just hope this signing pans out or else it’s back to the drawing board in the secondary for Snead and company.

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