March 15th marks the start of the new league year and the NFL free agency period is heating up for the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans already signed two defensive tackles earlier today and now they have added another weapon to their offense. According to Ian Rapoport, NFL veteran running back Jamaal Williams signed a new contract with the New Orleans Saints. The Saints and former Lions running back Williams, have agreed to a terms on a three-year deal. Williams is set to join forces with Alvin Kamara, setting up a dynamic duo in the ‘Big Easy’.
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Jamaal Williams NFL Career:
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Williams spent his four seasons of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers before coming to Detroit prior to the start of the 2021 season. He was the selected in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of BYU. In his debut season in Green Bay, Williams started in seven games for the packers. In his rookie season, Williams rushed for 556 yards and five touchdowns. Through the air, Williams would haul in 25 receptions for 262 yards and two touchdowns.
Williams would continue to be consistent over the years at Green Bay as he add three more touchdowns in 2018. During the 2019 and 2020 seasons, Williams would rush for three touchdowns. In 2019, the BYU product had 460 rushing yards. He would have his best receiving year of his career as he hauled in 39 receptions for 253 yards and five touchdowns. In 2020, Williams rushed for 505 yards and two touchdowns.
After the 2020 season, the veteran running back would spent the next two seasons in Detroit. In his debut season with the Lions, Williams rushed for 601 yards and three touchdowns. His last season with the Lions would be his best of his NFL career as he finished the year with 1,066 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. Throughout his NFL career, the BYU product would have 915 rushes for 3,652 yards and 30 touchdowns. Williams will look to bring his veteran experience to a talented Saints backfield.
What This Signing Means For the Saints RB Depth Chart:
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This is exactly what the Saints needed heading into the offseason as running back was one of the biggest needs on the depth chart. After Alvin Kamara, New Orleans is thin at the position with Mark Ingram and David Johnson heading to free agency. If New Orleans doesn’t decide to resign both Ingram and Johnson, then that leaves several running backs in the mix to have a spot on the roster.
Other notable running backs on the roster include Dwayne Washington and Eno Benjamin. With Williams entering the mix, that provides a valuable backup option for Kamara. Throughout his NFL career, Williams has proven that he can be a viable running back that has had to split carries with another back. Williams is set to join a talented backfield that was in need of a compliment to Kamara.
There are question marks that will be surrounding Kamara heading into the 2023 season as there is a potential that he can be missing part of the season due to allegations that were brought up ahead of the 2022 season. If Kamara misses any time, then Williams can certainly be a go-to running back if the Tennessee product is absent throughout the season. Williams showed that he can be a bellcow running back in his last season with the Lions.
