Report: Buffalo Bills sign former Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Daryl Williams

In life, these three things are certain: death, taxes, and the Buffalo Bills signing former Carolina Panthers players.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Bills have signed former Panthers offensive lineman Daryl Williams to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed, but the Bills have officially announced the move.

Williams, who turns 28 in August, was drafted by Carolina in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He has primarily served as the team’s starting right tackle, though he has also made some starts at guard during his NFL career. Generally, his work as a tackle has been better than his work as a guard, but he does offer the kind of versatility along the offensive line valued by general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott.

Williams had a strong 2017 season, breaking into the starting lineup and starting all 16 games for the Panthers at right tackle, but his 2018 season was cut short thanks to a knee injury he suffered in training camp. He dislocated his kneecap and tore his MCL in July, but he managed to start the season opener that September. He re-injured the same knee in that game and did not play for the rest of the season.

In 2019, Williams did not perform as consistently as he did in that 2017 season. Perhaps it’s because the Panthers bounced him all over the line, as he made starts at left tackle, left guard, and right guard. He best profiles as a right tackle, where he played in 2017.

At worst, this gives the Bills a solid depth option to go with Cody Ford and Ty Nsekhe at right tackle. With Beane’s penchant for turning a surplus of offensive linemen into draft picks during the summer months, this signing gives the Bills the flexibility to do just that in August.