The Broncos had some questions up front, but now we have answers.
DeShawn Williams came to the Denver Broncos as a depth signing in 2020. Fast forward a season and he has become much more than a rotational piece, Williams has developed into an impact player.
The former Clemson product went undrafted in 2015. Williams’s lack of size at 6’1” and 292 pounds cast him as a misfit along the defensive front. Many saw him as too small to play inside and not long enough to play over the offensive tackle.
The former three-star high school recruit landed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2015.
Since then, Williams has been a part of 27 transactions per Pro Football Reference. Meaning, the defensive tackle was caught in a repeat cycle of waived, released, and resigned.
The whirlwind of uncertainty would have crushed most people. The average Joe would have given up and moved to a career with more certainty.
But Williams is different. His agent called in August of 2020 to let him know the Broncos had a contract waiting for him, for the practice squad. He jumped at the chance and began to work.
On September 25, 2020, he was activated to the game-day roster. He persevered and took advantage of his opportunity and has not looked back.
Fast forward to the 2021 offseason and the 28-year-old is showing everyone that he is more than a depth piece.
Grearmt interview with #Broncos DL @iamDeShawnW! Guy is turning into more than just depth. He's a baller! Dude makes impact plays.
— Dr. Nicholas Manning (@Dr_NManning) August 27, 2021
Broncos’ Williams is an impact player
Williams has been nothing short of phenomenal this offseason. Capitalizing on a 2-sack 2020 season with minimal snaps, the energetic player is becoming a force on the Broncos’ vaunted defensive front.
Williams has received high praise across the league, especially from Pro Football Focus.
DeShawn Williams has been nothing short of dominant this preseason 💪
🔶 93.7 grade
🔶 79.3 run defense grade
🔶 4 defensive stops and 5 tackles pic.twitter.com/P5RXwcV8mo
— PFF DEN Broncos (@PFF_Broncos) August 24, 2021
He has shown a consistent ability to make plays. Whether in the running game or passing game, Williams finds ways to be around the ball.
DeShawn Williams (@iamDeShawnW) slips the pulling blocker & makes the tackle for no gain. Williams has the athleticism to earn a more consistent role moving forward! #stoptherun pic.twitter.com/83ZZdx901z
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) January 6, 2021
In the preseason matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, Williams had already secured a fumble recovery when he showed his tremendous agility and athletics to pluck the ball out of the air for an interception. This play seemed familiar to most Broncos fans.
DT DeShawn Williams with a BIG BOY INT.
And all the @Broncos came to celebrate.#DENvsSEA | @iamdeshawnw pic.twitter.com/0KvILcnhvC
— NFL (@NFL) August 22, 2021
In a 2020 regular-season matchup, Williams made another unique play by diving to secure a tipped pass for another interception.
Don’t test Denver defensive tackle DeShawn Williams in coverage! 🔒⬇️ pic.twitter.com/bjCpMbuSYM
— Gridiron (@Gridiron) October 18, 2020
Williams has been more than splash plays. His athleticism and versatility allow him to maneuver up and down the defensive front, acting as a swiss army knife for Vic Fangio.
Once an afterthought, Williams has become a vital part to one of the game’s best defenses.
As the Broncos look to finish off the preseason tonight, look for Williams to again make some plays. But, keep that focus on him during the regular season too because he could be a key component to that defensive front.