5 free-agent offensive tackles the Vikings could sign in 2019
By Chris Schad
Daryl Williams
2017 Stats:
- 77.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus (16th among qualifiers)
- 79.0 pass blocking grade
- 67.1 run blocking grade
- 35 QB pressures allowed
Williams could represent a high-risk, high reward signing that the Vikings may be able to get at a discount. The 26-year old had a breakout season with the Carolina Panthers in 2017, but then he suffered a MCL tear last preseason. Williams tried to come back to help the team, but he bowed out after Week 1 and was put on injured reserve.
Williams is an interesting case for Minnesota. With limited cap room, it’s possible that the market for his services may be lukewarm coming off a major injury. In addition, that might leave him looking for a one-year “prove it” deal similar to the one that Sheldon Richardson got from the Vikings last year.
It’s not the safest bet, but if Minnesota can get Williams to come in and compete for a starting job, it would at least provide some steady insurance that they didn’t have last year.