Report: Former Browns CB agrees to terms with Eagles

As a second-round rookie in 2019, Williams started 12 games, to mixed effect. While he failed to nab an interception and only tallied two passes defensed, he showed out as a strong defender against the run. Williams was subsequently forced to miss the 2020 season due to nerve issues in his shoulder.

Coming back from the injury in 2021, the 25-year-old cornerback had perhaps his strongest season. While Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome would serve as starters throughout the year, Williams played in every game but one and ended up with a starting assignment in eight contests.

During that standout 2021-22 campaign, Williams received the third-largest snap share out of the cornerbacks room, playing just over half the team’s defensive snaps. He was statistically productive in his second season on the field, as well, reeling in two interceptions and breaking up 10 pass attempts.

This most recent season saw injuries return to bite the young corner, who started the year on injured reserve. While he made it back to the lineup after missing the team’s first five games, a 2-5 start to the season led the Browns to begin to search for possible trade partners willing to give up value for Williams. His playing time plummeted as the season wore on, to the point that he was only playing on special teams in the waning weeks of the winter campaign.

Williams now finds himself in a secondary with two veteran, established cornerbacks in James Bradberry, who re-signed this week and Darius Slay, who narrowly avoided release and signed an extension on Thursday. The former LSU defensive back figures to compete mainly with Avonte Maddox for backup snaps in Philadelphia. If Williams can return to his 2021 form, the Eagles will have four capable corners roaming in the secondary as they try for a second consecutive run to the Super Bowl.