Former Rams Defensive Lineman Jonah Williams Visits Vikings Before Free Agent Decision

The Los Angeles Rams may see a piece of their depth join an NFC challenger after defensive lineman Jonah Williams visited the Minnesota Vikings.

The Los Angeles Rams have been one of free agency’s early winners, securing improvements to both the offensive line and secondary. 

However, the loss of defensive lineman Aaron Donald, who retired on Friday, may have the biggest impact of any transaction the team makes this offseason.

He leaves the defensive line in good hands. Kobie Turner was a Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist and is set to take the mantle as the team’s best defensive tackle. Yet, the unit appears thin after the first wave of free agents have agreed to deals.

Los Angeles let depth lineman Jonah Williams depart for free agency, further adding to their woes in the trenches.

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On Monday, he visited the Minnesota Vikings, the team announced.

Williams was nearly a member of the Vikings before. The Rams signed him as an undrafted free agent after the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent the season on the practice squad before seeing his first action in 2021. He was waived at midseason and claimed by Minnesota, though a failed physical ended his stay. Los Angeles would claim him soon after.

In the years since, he’s seen an uptick in playing time growing from 97 snaps in 2021 to 597 in 2023.

He finished the season with two sacks, 49 tackles, and four tackles for loss while playing the 11th-most snaps on defense.

Donald Gives Rams Parting Gift

While he wasn’t a significant contributor to the Rams’ fortified front, that many vacated snaps is a legitimate need to address, although it will likely come in the form of a depth signing or Day 3 pick should he decide to sign with the Vikings or another team.

The biggest question facing Los Angeles will be how they go about replacing the Donald-sized hole in its defense, but losing out on competent depth won’t make that answer any easier to find.