Who is easier to root for among the current Buffalo Bills than veteran defensive tackle Kyle Williams? The affable veteran has made a stellar career out of outstanding perseverance, ridiculous athleticism, and incredible humility. When the team announced that he would return for another year, fans and teammates alike expressed tremendous happiness.
For the 60th installment of our “90 players in 90 days” series, let’s discuss the man with the best touchdown-to-carry ratio in team history, shall we?
Name: Kyle Williams
Number: 95
Position: DT
Height/Weight: 6’1” 303 lbs.
Age: 35
Experience: 13
College: LSU
Draft: Selected in the fifth round (134th overall) by the Buffalo Bills in the 2006 NFL Draft
Financial situation (per Spotrac): Williams signed a one-year pact worth $5.5 million in what will probably be his final professional contract. The team could release him and only owe him $2.5 million for the year; however, the likelihood of that happening is about the same as me suiting up for the Bills this year.
2017 Recap: Williams’s numbers were down across the board last season, as he totaled 41 tackles (his lowest total in a season in which he’s played at least 14 games since the 2007 season) and 3 sacks (lowest since 2008 when playing at least 14 games). He added 2 batted passes and a fumble recovery. He also played in his first career playoff game, notching 1 tackle in Buffalo’s 10-3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Oh, and he also did this.
Positional outlook: Barring an injury, Williams will start alongside the newly acquired Star Lotulelei. His primary backup is of greater question, as Tenny Palepoi will battle Adolphus Washington for that spot. Harrison Phillips will serve as Lotulelei’s backup, with Rickey Hatley also fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster.
2018 Offseason: Williams continues to impress with his leadership and work ethic, fighting in offseason workouts and in minicamp just as hard as he ever has. There are few examples of leadership that shine brighter than Williams.
2018 season outlook: Always a beacon of class and drive, Williams should ride off into the sunset after the season concludes as one of the best interior defensive lineman in Bills’ history. Pro Football Reference lists Williams tenth overall in terms of approximate value, and he is the fourth most valuable defensive player in franchise history via that metric (trailing only Bruce Smith, Fred Smerlas, and Mike Stratton). He is fifth in franchise history in sacks, and first among defensive tackles, with 43.5 overall. Go see him this season, Bills fans, because after this season ends, the next time you’ll see Williams in a Bills’ uniform will most likely be at his Wall of Fame induction ceremony.