New Orleans Saints sign veteran defensive lineman with connections to the coaching staff

The New Orleans Saints have had a somewhat intriguing mix of offseason moves so far, between a trade, signings, re-signings, and departures, they certainly have changed up the roster a bit. Their list of additions has continued as well, with John Hendrix of Athlon Sports reporting that they will be signing defensive end Jonah Williams on a one-year deal.

Williams, 29, is a Weber State product and former college teammate of Rashid Shaheed's. He signed with the Los Angles Rams as an undrafted free agent during the 2020 offseason, and would remain there up until part way through 2024, where he also played for the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions after being waived multiple times throughout the season. His production on the defensive side improved immensely in 2023, accruing 49 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, a pass deflection, 7 pressures, and 2 sacks in 598 snaps. He adds some versatility to the group of edge defenders at a listed 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds.

However, in 2024 his utilization went back down, only playing 40 snaps in six games with the Rams (approximately 10%). Overall he has been a quality depth piece for the teams he has been with in his career. Additionally, when he was signed in 2020, Brandon Staley was the defensive coordinator of the Rams, so there is most certainly a connection there despite Williams not making it off the practice squad that season.

He will likely be a good rotational piece during training camp to provide competition to the incoming rookie class, and if he can get some production and show flashes during that span of time, he may end up making the active roster.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Report: Saints sign defensive lineman who worked with their new staff

Topics

Former LSU offensive lineman Will Clapp signs with New Orleans Saints

A former LSU football offensive linemen signed with the New Orleans Saints marking a return to his hometown team
Yahoo Sports - 22h
Falcons sign former Chargers defensive lineman to two-year contract

The Atlanta Falcons have signed veteran defensive lineman Morgan Fox to a two-year contract, NFL Network reported
Yahoo Sports - 3h
Saints add cornerback Isaac Yiadom, tight end Jack Stoll and lineman Will Clapp in free agency

The New Orleans Saints have signed cornerback Isaac Yiadom, tight end Jack Stoll and offensive lineman Will Clapp to free agent contracts, the club announced Thursday. Yiadom, who played for San ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Former Alabama defensive lineman signs with AFC West team as free agent

A former defensive lineman for the Alabama Crimson Tide, Da'Shawn Hand has signed with a new NFL team after two seasons in Miami.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
2025 NFL draft: Saints head coach spotted scouting at Georgia Bulldogs pro day

The New Orleans Saints are busy on the pro day circuit before the 2025 NFL draft. Kellen Moore was spotted scouting prospects at Georgia's pro day.
Yahoo Sports - 9h
Report: Saints making a push for Cooper Kupp

New Orleans is also reportedly in on potentially signing the receiver, who was released by the Rams this week.
Yahoo Sports - 10h
Saints, Derek Carr alter contract, signaling QB will remain in New Orleans in 2025, per report

Carr, who will get all his $40M owed in 2025, is reportedly converting most of his salary into a signing bonus
CBS Sports - 6d
New Orleans Saints listed among the biggest losers of free agency

This Pro Football Focus analyst wasn't impressed by the Saints' offseason moves. They were listed among free agency's biggest losers.
Yahoo Sports - 6h
Saints reportedly signing former No. 2 draft pick Chase Young to $51M deal

Per NFL Network, New Orleans is re-signing Young to a three-year contract worth $51 million that could escalate to $57 million.
Yahoo Sports - 3d
Vikings defensive lineman Jerry Tillery signs with Chiefs in free agency

Jerry Tillery returns to the AFC West by signing with the Chiefs after one year with the Minnesota Vikings.
Yahoo Sports - 5h
Derek Carr staying in New Orleans on restructured deal

The Saints will have Derek Carr on their roster in 2025 and likely as their starting quarterback.
Yahoo Sports - 6d
Paulson Adebo contract: Details on free agency deal the New Orleans Saints could not match

Details have emerged on Paulson Adebo's Giants contract. Here's the scoop on a deal the Saints could not match in free agency.
Yahoo Sports - 8h
Peoria native and former Illinois lineman has a new home in NFL

Kendrick Green, a former Peoria High and Illinois lineman, has moved on in NFL free agency, signing a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills.
Yahoo Sports - 2h
Sources: Pats agree to trade Godchaux to Saints

The New England Patriots have agreed to trade DT Davon Godchaux to the New Orleans Saints for a seventh-round pick in the 2026 draft, sources told ESPN.
ESPN - 4d
Report: New Orleans Saints have 'got their eye' on former All-Pro free agent WR

Dianna Russini reports that the Saints have 'got their eye' on Cooper Kupp's free agency market. What kind of contract is the former All-Pro seeking?
Yahoo Sports - 12h
Giants signing Paulson Adebo: New York strengthens secondary by adding former Saints CB

New York boosts a defense that only generated 15 takeaways in 2024 (fifth-fewest in NFL)
CBS Sports - 4d
Patriots continue to boost secondary with veteran safety signing

The New England Patriots added to their secondary on Friday by signing veteran safety Marcus Epps.
Yahoo Sports - 3h
Patriots agree to new deal with veteran safety

The New England Patriots announced they have re-signed veteran safety Jaylinn Hawkins to a new deal.
Yahoo Sports - 23h
Former Spartan signing with Los Angeles Chargers

A former Spartan is linking up with a former Wolverine, as the Los Angeles Chargers have signed the defensive lineman
Yahoo Sports - 1d
New York Giants re-signing offensive lineman Aaron Stinnie

The New York Giants have agreed to terms with OL Aaron Stinnie, who will return to East Rutherford for a second season.
Yahoo Sports - 15h
Dundee graduate Ted Rath begins 17th NFL season with new team

Dundee graduate Ted Rath takes job with the New Orleans Saints -- his fifth NFL team over 17 years.
Yahoo Sports - 16h
Rangers ink veteran backup G Quick to extension

The New York Rangers signed veteran backup goalie Jonathan Quick to a one-year extension, the team announced Wednesday.
ESPN - 2d
Rodriguez looks for certain qualities on coaching staff

Given the increased size of the coaching staffs there is more coverage for certain areas than in the past but there must be a willingness to help wherever a coach is needed. “Everybody's got to ...
Yahoo Sports - 16h
Who is Da'Shawn Hand? 5 things to know about Chargers new defensive tackle

The Chargers found some answers along the defensive line on Thursday in Da'Shawn Hand. The veteran will compete for a starting role in 2025.
Yahoo Sports - 16h
Sources: Saints' Mathieu, Jordan take pay cuts

Tyrann Mathieu and Cameron Jordan will sign new deals with expected pay decreases instead of the traditional restructures the Saints have used on several players' contracts this offseason to free ...
ESPN - 1d
Bills to sign former Rams DL Michael Hoecht to 3-year deal: Report

Per NFL Network, Buffalo is signing former Rams defensive lineman Michael Hoecht to a three-year deal with a maximum value of $24 million.
Yahoo Sports - 4d
Patriots agree to trade Davon Godchaux to Saints

The Patriots gave veteran defensive tackle Davon Godchaux permission to talk to other teams about a trade last month and that effort has worked out in a return to his home state.
Yahoo Sports - 4d
Michigan football hires David Denham as assistant defensive line coach

The Wolverines are bringing in an assistant defensive line coach with an excellent track record.
Yahoo Sports - 5h
Veteran wide receiver Patrick re-signs with Lions

The Lions have re-signed veteran wide receiver Tim Patrick.
ESPN - 6h
NWSL confirms probe into Bay FC coaching staff

An investigation has been opened into the technical staff of Bay FC, National Women's Soccer League commissioner Jessica Berman confirmed on Friday.
ESPN - 6d
Commanders continue to add depth in the trenches

The Washington Commanders re-signed two offensive linemen and one defensive lineman on Thursday.
Yahoo Sports - 19h
Bills' GM says new signings Larry Ogunjobi, Michael Hoecht will each be suspended 6 games for PED violations

Buffalo will have to go six games without its pair of defensive signings
CBS Sports - 3h
UNLV admits it can only afford first two years of new coach Dan Mullen's $17.5 million contract

The Rebels' financial predicament is a sign of the new times
CBS Sports - 1d
CB Paulson Adebo, Giants agree on 3-year deal

The New York Giants strengthened their secondary with former New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.
Yahoo Sports - 4d
Xavi: I was too emotionally connected in Barça job

Former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández says he was too emotionally connected to the Catalan club to deliver the sustained success demanded from him.
ESPN - 5d
Vikings to sign veteran offensive tackle Justin Skule

The Vikings are adding a veteran swing tackle in Justin Skule.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Falcons sign former Chiefs defensive back in free agency

Falcons sign former Chiefs defensive back Keith Taylor in free agency
Yahoo Sports - 4h
Patriots boost depth with OL signing following David Andrews release

The New England Patriots boosted their interior offensive line depth on Friday by reportedly agreeing to sign veteran Wes Schweitzer to a deal.
Yahoo Sports - 7h
2025 NFL free agent defensive lineman rankings: Best team fits, projected deals for Milton Williams, others

A look at the top defensive linemen hitting the free agent market
CBS Sports - 6d