Since being released by the Buffalo Bills, Aaron Williams has only visited with the Jaguars. On Thursday, the Houston Texans will host the free agent.
Aaron Williams was a fan favorite among all Buffalo Bills‘ fans ever since the team drafted him in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. The free agent safety could be on his way to the Houston Texans after this week.
The Bills released Williams early in free agency to clear some cap space — which the team was very tight with. It was unfortunate when I heard the news because he was one of my favorite Buffalo Bills for a long time.
Williams has had a tough past two seasons in the NFL. In 2015, he suffered a major neck injury in Week 2 vs. the New England Patriots. He was completely motionless on the field and would miss a little under a month of football. After returning, it was clear that he wasn’t ready for action.
After missing the rest of the 2015 season, he entered the 2016 season with confidence. Things seemed to be turning up for Williams, scoring his first touchdown off a botched field goal vs. the Cardinals in Week 3.
Unfortunately, another major neck injury would occur vs. the Dolphins in Week 7. He was immediately listed as out for the season. Over the past two seasons, he has only played 10 games and recorded 35 tackles, one fumble recovery, one interception and 8 passes defensed.
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Don’t let that fool you, though. Despite his recent injury history, Williams is a fantastic defensive back with a knack for making big plays. In the four years prior to 2015, he recorded 222 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 6 interceptions (4 in 2013) and 28 passes defensed.
Also on the plus side, sources close to Aaron Williams have said that he has recovered well and is currently 100% healthy. If that’s true, I firmly believe any team that grabs him will be getting a player ready to start.
For the Houston Texans, it could be a match made in heaven. If the team decides Aaron Williams is a player they want in Houston, they shouldn’t hesitate.
Don’t forget, Williams played his high school football in Austin, Texas and also played his college ball at the University of Texas. It would be quite the homecoming for Williams and something that Houston is used to granting.
I mean, take Case Keenum for example. He’s a quarterback that played high school football at Abilene (TX) Wylie and played college ball at the University of Houston. After going undrafted in 2012, he signed with the Houston Texans.
Keenum would make the 53-man roster in 2013 and had short success mid-way through the season.
Perhaps Houston is where Aaron Williams needs to be. I mean, I still wish he was in Buffalo, but it seems that the Bills have moved on.
And so shall Williams. With a meeting on Thursday, I wish him the best moving forward and hopes he finds success in the second-half of his career.
I will be the first to tell the city of Houston, if they grab Aaron Williams then they are getting a class act and someone that will likely be a staple in the locker room and community for years to come.
Buffalo is known for producing players like that.
Good luck, Williams. I still have your jersey hanging above my bed at home.
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Where do you think Aaron Williams will land this season? Leave your thoughts below!