Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jon Heath

Broncos lose DL DeShawn Williams to Panthers

The Denver Broncos’ defensive line depth chart took a hit on Wednesday evening.

After starting 15 games at defensive end for the Broncos last season, DeShawn Williams has agreed to terms with the Carolina Panthers. In Charlotte, Williams will reunite with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, who served as Denver’s DC last season.

Williams, 30, spent the last three years with the Broncos, totaling 113 tackles, 19 quarterback hits, eight pass breakups, 7.5 sacks and one interception in 46 games (34 starts). If Denver plays D.J. Jones as a nose tackle in its base 3-4 defense, there is not a clear replacement for Williams on the Broncos’ roster.

Denver did bring in Zach Allen this offseason, but he is set to replace Dre’Mont Jones, who left to join the Seattle Seahawks earlier this week.

Behind Allen on the defensive end depth chart, the Broncos also have Matt Henningsen, Eyioma Uwazurike, Jonathan Harris, Elijah Garcia and Jordan Jackson, but none of them played at the level of Williams last year.

Denver could have D.J. Jones play defensive end across from Allen with Mike Purcell lined up at nose tackle when they line up in a 3-4. The Broncos will also undoubtedly have situations where Jones and Allen line up as defensive tackles between a pair of outside linebackers on the edge.

Denver’s defense has options going forward, but there’s no denying that Williams’ departure hurts the team’s depth.

We are tracking all of the team’s free agency moves on Broncos Wire.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.