The Minnesota Vikings released veteran cornerback Joejuan Williams on Tuesday, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. The former Vanderbilt Commodore was a second-round pick by the New England Patriots in 2019 but has not found his footing in the NFL. Across 42 games with the Patriots, Vikings, and Bears, Williams has collected 46 tackles (32 solo), 10 pass deflections, and no interceptions. The 26-year-old signed a reserve/future contract on January 8 with the Vikings, but he is being let go after the team selected Oregon cornerback Khyree Jackson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
New England Patriots cornerback Joejuan Williams (shoulder) suffered a shoulder injury that will keep him out for the entire 2022 season, according to a source. The former second-round pick had been a depth piece for the Patriots secondary. Williams had 21 tackles (15 solo) and five passes defensed in 12 games (one start) for New England last year, and he's recorded 44 tackles (31 solo) and eight passes defensed in 36 games (one start) in his three seasons with the Patriots. The 24-year-old's season-ending injury is definitely a blow to the team's defensive back depth entering the season.
New England Patriots defensive back Joejuan Williams has been working regularly with the safeties in practice of late at training camp and has been taking all of his meetings with the group as well. Williams' length on the field could come in handy when defending opposing tight ends. The Pats traded up to take Williams 45th overall in the second round of the 2019 draft. He played in nine games in his rookie season and had just five combined tackles and one pass defensed. However, the Vanderbilt product stands at 6-foot-4 and could see his stock rise with a move to safety, where he can be more physical. Head coach Bill Belichick loves his defenders to be versatile, and Williams can play both corner and safety.
Joejuan Williams Has Been Improving His Versatility
New England Patriots defensive back Joejuan Williams is increasing his value through versatility this offseason. He played 82 defensive snaps last season, which is mostly due to the fact that the Pats were stacked in the secondary. The former second-round pick from 2019 will look to carve out a role as a versatile rotational player. He will likely play both defensive back and safety for the Pats next season. Williams is not expected to have a huge role on the team, but playing multiple positions should help him get on the field more often.
The San Francisco 49ers are waiving running back Joe Williams on Friday, according to a source. Head coach Kyle Shanahan was a big proponent of Williams and convinced the team's brass to take him in the fourth round last season. Williams just hasn't panned out, mostly because of injuries. Jerick McKinnon and Matt Breida will be the top two running backs entering Week 1, with Alfred Morris likely holding down the No. 3 job.
San Francisco 49ers running back Joe Williams "looks like a completely different player," according to 49ers beat writer Matt Maiocco. Williams will have to continue to impress the coaching staff to secure a spot on the 53-man roster. Matt Breida is the heavy favorite to back up Jerick McKinnon, so Williams' main competition appears to be Raheem Mostert for the third-string running back spot. Williams is not worth drafting in any format at this point in time, but he is someone to monitor on the waiver wire in case McKinnon or Breida miss any action during the regular season.
San Francisco 49ers running back Joe Williams, who missed his rookie season with a foot injury, is competing for a roster spot this summer and has impressed head coach Kyle Shanahan. Joes come a long way. I think his body looks a lot better than it did last year. He put on a lot of muscle mass and he took advantage of the year of not playing," Shanahan said. Even if Williams has improved, he's sitting behind Jerick McKinnon, Matt Breida and Raheem Mostert on the depth chart and is unlikely to see much playing time, barring an injury ahead of him.
San Francisco 49ers running back Joe Williams is facing an uphill battle for a roster spot this summer and will have to prove himself in order to make the team. General manager John Lynch had questions about Williams' commitment to football in last year's draft, but head coach Kyle Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner convinced Lynch to put him back on the draft board. Williams didn't impress in his rookie season and landed on Injured Reserve with a minor foot injury. The Niners signed Jerick McKinnon to handle the load this offseason, and Matt Breida should be involved as his backup, leaving little for Williams if he even makes the squad.
San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Joe Williams is eager for the offseason to begin, according to Nick Wagoner on Twitter. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan believed that Williams would have been ready to be back in the lineup if they had not made the decision to add him to Injured Reserve earlier this season. Williams should compete for snaps next season with Carlos Hyde's future up in the air.
