Williams was due a non-guaranteed $7.5 million in both 2013 and 2014.  Now he’ll get a guaranteed $4.9 million this season and then be a free agent following the 2013 season.  The new deal gives the Vikings $2.5 million in 2013 salary cap space bringing their total CAP hit to about $6.9 million this season.

Williams will turn 33 years old in August, and will enter his 11th season as the heavy favorite to start at three-technique DT for the Minnesota Vikings.  Williams is backed up by Christian Ballard who has not been overly impressive in his first two seasons.

Williams stated earlier this offseason that he was open to a restructure but that he wants to play “two or three more seasons”.

“(The Vikings) might not feel the same way,” Kevin Williams admitted. “My main thing is to have a good year and whatever happens after that happens after that.”

The ten-year veteran has missed only four games in his Vikings/NFL career and is still playing at a high level though he has shown some signs that he is on the decline.

Kevin Williams, a five-time All-Pro selection between 2004 and 2009, is at a cross-roads in his career with the Vikings. The team could look to the future in the 2013 NFL Draft’s first or second round at players like UNC’s Sylvester Williams or Purdue’s Kawann Short who could prove to be to tempting to pass on as long term solutions.  On the draft’s day three, a player like LSU’s Bennie Logan could be targeted to develop behind Kevin Williams and challenge Ballard in 2014 if Kevin Williams is not resigned beyond the 2013 season.

 

Here is my quick take on all three DT draft prospects:

Feb 25, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Sylvester Williams does a defensive drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Sylvester Williams: Williams has the size (6-3, 313) and speed (4.99 forty) to be a pass rush force at the next level.  He uses a quick, burst to penetrate the line of scrimmage.  He also has very good strength and is versatile after lining up at nose, defensive tackle and at end. Often described as a very high-character player that can hold up against double teams. The knock on Williams is his lack of consistency where he too often disappears for long stretches.

Williams seems to be projecting in the mid-to-late first round.  The Vikings would need to take him at 23/25 overall to get him.  Grooming him for a year behind Kevin Williams could be ideal for him.

Kawaan Short: Short (6’3, 303) was a rock on the Boilermakers defensive line for four years but never took that elite step that most anticipated he would.  He does have very long wingspan which he used to bat down 11 passes and blocked 4 kicks).

He, like Sly Williams, has consistency issues and has been dubbed as “passive” by scouts. His wide frame should translate him as an NFL run-stuffer and could develop into a high-quality pass rusher.

Bennie Logan: Logan (6’2, 309) has the big frame and long, strong arms and flashes a quick burst off the snap. He didn’t take the step in his development in 2012 that scouts had hoped to see from him.

He plays with a high-motor but too often relies on his effort to make plays when his initial burst or push doesn’t work.  Logan has the potential to develop into a very good NFL starter but has some work to do to develop into that player.

While Kevin Williams’ immediate future (2013) seems certain with his guaranteed new deal, April 25-27th could be a very telling sign of the teams long-term plans for him.

Leslie Frazier confirmed this information on Monday (via Tom Pelissero), saying the decision “is not a reflection on Erin Henderson.” It bears noting however that Henderson was pulled for a play on Saturday in the middle of a drive and replaced with David Herron, a move that as far as I know has not yet been explained.

If coaches are truly skeptical of Henderson’s ability to hold down the weak-side linebacker position, it makes sense for them to seek other options. However, I’m guessing the decision to try Griffen at linebacker has less to do with Henderson’s performance and more to do with a simple numbers game. As things stand now the Vikings are a tad thin at linebacker, mostly due to injury, and a tad over-populated on the defensive line where Griffen normally plays.

The key name to keep in mind is Christian Ballard. The rookie had a sack on Saturday lining up at defensive tackle and is clearly a talent to keep an eye on. However, despite his obvious abilities, Ballard will probably have trouble cracking the DT rotation once Kevin Williams returns from his two-game suspension.

The simple solution would be to give Ballard some snaps at end when he’s not playing tackle…but that would mean taking snaps away from Everson Griffen, a guy who was penciled in as the primary back-up to Jared Allen. Now we see where moving Griffen to linebacker begins making sense. It makes even more sense when you consider the lack of depth the Vikings are currently suffering at linebacker, a position that seemed fairly well-set going into the preseason.

The starting linebackers are not the problem, it’s the backups. Jasper Brinkley was going to be the fourth linebacker but he has been suffering a lingering hip problem. Behind him was Heath Farwell, but Farwell is overpaid and has also been dealing with injury. Sixth on the depth chart was rookie Ross Homan, but he’s been dealing with the after-effects of a concussion. The emergence of Larry Dean helped ameliorate the problem but did not eliminate it.

The Vikings became so desperate for warm bodies at linebacker ahead of Saturday’s game that they picked up UDFA Kyle O’Donnell and their own former player in David Herron. Since then O’Donnell has been cut. As previously stated, moving Griffen to LB both relieves the depth issue at that position and removes one name from a crowded defensive line mix.

So now we have something interesting to look at on Thursday: Everson Griffen getting his first action at linebacker. It seems unlikely he will stick there as anything more than a backup but who knows? Leslie Frazier may insist that Erin Henderson is in no danger of losing his job, but the fact is Henderson is far from a sure-thing to stick as the long-term starter. Griffen may not be the answer either but we’ll never know unless he gets a look.

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Looking down the other newly-signed draft picks and their presumed roles as we begin camp:

Kyle Rudolph TE: Should get lots of action lined up with Visanthe Shiancoe in Bill Musgrave‘s offense with its preponderance of two-tight end sets. Has a chance to be an impact player from the very beginning.

Christian Ballard DT: Could be a big factor during Kevin Williams‘ four game Starcaps suspension, possibly rotating with Letroy Guion. It will be interesting to see what he shows during this brief audition. Could he wind up being K-Will’s ultimate replacement? Way too soon to tell.

Brandon Burton CB: Right now Burton looks to be no better than fifth on the CB depth chart, but he could very easily beat out Asher Allen, who isn’t exactly All-Pro material. The depth chart could get totally scrambled if Cedric Griffin or Chris Cook suffers more physical setbacks.

DeMarcus Love OL: Figures to be in the mix at right guard and might end up being Anthony Herrera’s replacement. Could also play tackle though most agree his best chance to stick long term is at guard.

Mistral Raymond DB: Right now he’s the fifth safety. That means he has a chance to be active a few games this year if someone’s hurt or the Vikings think they need extra DBs or special teams guys.

Brandon Fusco C: He’s seen as a developmental player. Maybe he can push John Sullivan and/or Jon Cooper at center but probably not in his first camp.

Ross Homan LB: I’d wager Erin Henderson will end up replacing the soon-to-depart Ben Leber at weak-side linebacker but this won’t happen until after a wide-open camp competition that will include Ross Homan. Wouldn’t shock me to see Homan end up starting at some point either because of injury or by simply winning the job.

D’Aundre Reed DE: I’m told he has talent. With Ray Edwards gone there’s a spot to be won at defensive end. Perhaps Reed will win it or perhaps he will fade into the nothingness having made barely an impression.

Stephen Burton WR: In case you haven’t noticed the Vikings aren’t exactly bursting at the seams with great wide receivers. This is another position, like linebacker, where a rookie could grab himself a spot right away.

We’ll see how these guys fare as camp and the preseason play out.

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