P.J. Williams played snaps at nickel, corner and safety last season for the New Orleans Saints.
That kind of versatility likely was a huge selling point for the defender when he and the Saints agreed to terms on a one-year contract Thursday, making New Orleans' third-round pick from 2015 the latest in-house free agent to return this offseason.
Williams, who missed two regular-season games due to league suspension last season, started eight of 14 games and had an interception, four passes defensed, a sack and 44 tackles in his fourth season. His value best was displayed in the final two regular-season games, when, after playing slot and corner the entire season, he switched to safety mid-game against Tennessee in Week 16, then started at safety in Week 17 against Carolina.
Earlier in the season, he started at cornerback against Tampa Bay due to an injury to Marshon Lattimore, primarily matched up against Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans and helped hold Evans (four catches for 69 yards) in check in a 34-17 victory.
Williams has four interceptions, 151 tackles, two sacks and 24 passes defensed in 47 career games, with 22 starts.
He joins quarterback Drew Brees, left guard Andrus Peat, defensive tackle David Onyemata and long snapper Zach Wood among Saints who have re-signed or agreed to terms with the team since free agency opened.
