Saints Sign Veteran DT Kevin Williams

Veteran defensive tackle Kevin Williams, a 6-time Pro Bowler and 5-time 1rst team AP All-Pro, signed a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints on Friday, the team announced.

Williams, 34, comes to the Saints after spending last season with NFC Champion Seattle, having spent his previous 11 years in the league with the Minnesota Vikings where he was regularly recognized as one of the best DTs in football.

He flourished in a 4-3 scheme with the Vikings as an interior DT. New Orleans defensive coordinator Rob Ryan mixes up his defensive alignments, using both a 4-3 and 3-4.

Entering his 13th season, the 6'5, 311 pounder may have his best football behind him, but it doesn't mean he won't be a valuable addition to New Orleans. Last year in Seattle, Williams played in every game for the league's top ranked scoring defense, finishing with 30 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 pass deflections, and 6 tackles for loss.

For his career, Williams has tabbed 63 sacks, 353 tackles, 8 forced rumbles, 5 interceptions, 2 touchdowns returns, and 68 passes defended.

The current interior defensive lineman on the Saints roster include  Akiem Hicks, John Jenkins, Brodrick Bunkley, Glenn Foster, and Lawrence Virgil, with the latter three not currently participating in OTAs (organized team activities) due to unspecified injuries.