Marcus Williams Signs Contract With Baltimore Ravens

Marcus Williams, Baltimore Ravens, Agree to Contract

This free agency is full of high-caliber and reliable defensive players. 25-year old free safety Marcus Williams has shown he has been a reliable defender for the New Orleans Saints since he was a rookie in 2017. The Saints selected Williams in the second round (42th overall pick) from Ohio State in the same draft where they also drafted Marshon Lattimore, Ryan Ramczyk, and Alvin Kamara.

Williams had a great rookie season by accounting for 73 total tackles, 59 solo tackles, seven pass breakups, and four interceptions. He was voted a part of the 2017 Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie. Most casual fans will only remember his missed tackle in the divisional round loss to Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs.

Williams followed his rookie season with three solid seasons, but no contract extension. He has placed the franchise tag on Williams on March 9^th, 2021, and then signed a one-year; $10.6 million deal with the Saints due to their tough salary cap situation. This past season, Williams accounted for 74 total tackles, 52 solo tackles, eight pass breakups, and two interceptions. According to Pro Football Reference, Williams only allowed a 48.1% completion percentage when targets, which lead all safeties in the league.

In five seasons with the Saints, he has played and started in 76 games accounting for 320 total tackles, 239 solo tackles, 38 pass breakups, 15 interceptions, and three forced fumbles. Williams has the experience, youth, and playmaking capabilities to be considered one of the top defenders in the league.

He has the potential to be one of the highest-paid safeties in the league. Williams is looking to be more than one of the highest-paid defensive players in the league, he wants to be a leader on the field for his team in 2022.