4 free agents who fit the mold of Panthers HC Matt Rhule
By Dean Jones
Marcus Williams – S
- 2020 team – New Orleans Saints
Matt Rhule loves high-energy guys who come to play each and every week.
And Marcus Williams definitely fits into that category.
The New Orleans Saints are about to embark on some significant salary-cap problems even if quarterback Drew Brees does retire as expected. This might mean that players of Williams’ caliber can’t be kept around given their restrictions and the queue of suitors for someone only just entering his prime would be a long one if he was to hit the free-agent market.
It’s hard not to love the way Williams goes about his business. He is a ballhawk who provides solidarity and playmaking ability on the backend, with the former second-round pick also a commanding presence at the second level in run support.
Williams could play either safety position with ease and would be an instant upgrade on Tre Boston or Juston Burris, who were inconsistent at best during the 2020 season at the safety spot.
Acquiring someone of Williams’ quality won’t be cheap. Spotrac projects the Utah product to command an annual salary of $9.4 million on a five-year, $47.3 million deal, which might be a little too rich for Carolina at the present time and would all-but assure his exit from New Orleans in the process.
The benefits of bringing Williams on board are there for all to see. But as will be the case throughout this offseason, money is going to play a huge factor.