As the Panthers continue to rebuild their defensive line, the team has added another big body to the group. The team announced that they’ve agreed to terms with defensive tackle DeShawn Williams.
The former UDFA bounced around the NFL for a few years before finding a home in Denver in 2020. Over the past three years, the defensive lineman started 34 of his 40 games for the Broncos, collecting 7.5 total sacks.
That includes a 2021 season where the veteran got into 17 games (15 starts), finishing with 37 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and eight QB hits. Pro Football Focus ranked Williams 85th among 127 qualifying interior defenders, although they did give him props for his coverage ability.
The South Carolina native will provide the Panthers with another big body up front. The organization previously agreed to terms with Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle, and the two acquisitions will pair with Derrick Brown in new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s 3-4 system. Evero, of course, spent the 2022 season coaching Williams in Denver, as did new senior assistant Dom Capers.