Broncos sign WR Nick Williams, an expert in the Shanahan offense
The Denver Broncos signed slot receiver Nick Williams, an expert in the Shanahan offense who has been in the league since 2013.
The Denver Broncos have been bitten by the injury bug at the wide receiver position, as head coach Vic Fangio put it, and the team decided to make a move.
The Broncos brought in veteran wide receiver Nick Williams, a former undrafted free agent out of Connecticut who has been in the league since 2013.
Williams most recently played with the Los Angeles Rams in 2018 from the middle of October to the end of November as they struggled through some injuries at wide receiver.
The signing of Williams was first reported by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, and Mike Klis of 9News in Denver followed up with the corresponding move.
#Broncos are signing WR Nick Williams, source says. He worked out recently for the #Patriots. Was with Denver OC Rich Scangarello when both were with the #Falcons.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 26, 2019
In case you’re keeping score at home, the following Broncos receivers have missed time with injuries or are nursing injuries back to health:
- Emmanuel Sanders (Achilles)
- DaeSean Hamilton (hamstring)
- River Cracraft (oblique)
- Juwann Winfree (calf)
Considering Sanders, Hamilton, and Cracraft were all on the Broncos’ active roster last year, it makes sense that the team would bring in someone who can contribute right away in a reserve role, if even just for the duration of camp and preseason play.
Williams is quickly becoming an expert in every iteration of the Shanahan offense.
He was signed by the patriarch of the Shanahan offense — Mike himself — coming out of UConn in 2013 with the Washington Redskins.
In Washington, he played for Kyle Shanahan, whose staff also included Matt LaFleur and Sean McVay.
After playing with those guys in Washington, Williams played next with the Atlanta Falcons in 2015 where Shanahan, LaFleur, and Rich Scangarello were on the staff.
He then played with the Falcons through the 2017 season, and moved on with LaFleur to the Tennessee Titans in 2018.
After he was released by the Titans, he resurfaced with McVay in Los Angeles.
Now, he’s back with Scangarello.
Before too long, Williams himself is going to become a coach in the Shanahan coaching tree.
But before that day comes, he’s going to get a shot to compete with the Broncos. Although the Broncos need bodies right now, it seems unlikely the 28-year-old Williams — who has plenty of regular-season experience — will make the final roster.
5 standouts through the first week of training camp. dark. Next
We’ll see how he does throughout camp, but his familiarity with the offense could give him somewhat of an edge.