Vic Fangio: New Broncos WR Nick Williams not just a camp body

Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio said veteran wide receiver Nick Williams has proven in practices that he’s not just a camp body.

When you have players go down with injuries at training camp, players may come in as street free agents with some upside and potential, but no one is typically thought of as more than just a ‘camp body’ when they get signed out of nowhere.

Unless you’re talking about a cap casualty from another team or something like that, guys who get picked up midway through camp face an uphill battle, but new Denver Broncos wide receiver Nick Williams seems like somewhat of an exception.

First and foremost, Williams is an expert in the Shanahan offense or at least many different iterations of it.

He was with Papa Shanahan (Mike) on his first NFL team in 2013 with the Washington Redskins. He then spent time with the Atlanta Falcons (Kyle Shanahan, Rich Scangarello), Tennessee Titans (Matt LaFleur), and Los Angeles Rams (Sean McVay), where his offensive coordinator or head coach was also a member of that 2013 Redskins staff.

Now he’s back with Scangarello, whose initial encounter with Williams came when Scangarello was just cutting his teeth in the NFL, working with Kyle Shanahan’s offense as an assistant offensive line coach.

Now, Williams is competing in Broncos camp for a position in the slot as a WR6, but perhaps more importantly as the team’s lead punt returner.

He had four returns for 47 yards this past season with the Tennessee Titans, but the majority of his yardage came on a 38-yard return. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s worth pointing out. I would take a returner who could average one 35-plus yard play every four returns.

The Broncos can’t have just a returner in that last receiver position, though. They can’t have a guy who is just a receiver either. They need someone who is going to contribute in a meaningful way on special teams because the last thing they need is to make a guy like DaeSean Hamilton or Phillip Lindsay susceptible to injury by being on returns.

Williams has caught the eye of head coach Vic Fangio through the first few practices he’s had with the team.

"“He’s done well. He’s quick, he’s elusive, he’s smart. He’s been in this system — you know similar system — before. So, the learning curve hasn’t been as steep. I think he’s done well. It’ll be interesting to see how he does when he gets in there. When you get a guy in camp at this stage, you think you’re just bringing them in to fill up the roster and take some reps but he’s already proven he’s above that. So, he’s in the hunt.”Vic Fangio (quotes transcribed at press conference)"

Those are some pretty high marks from Fangio, who has not been shy about being critical of other guys on the team. Williams’ understanding of the offense gives him a clear edge, but his ability to run routes and be quick and elusive out of the slot could ultimately earn him a spot on this team over some promising young undrafted receivers.

It’s clear at this point that Williams is not just a camp body. He was brought in with a legitimate shot of making the roster, and if he keeps up in games what he’s done in practices, he could be on his way to a gameday role as well.