With a lack of talent for the skill position currently on the roster, the Atlanta Falcons are moving a young defender back to the offensive side of the ball.
Avery Williams, who returned kicks and kicks and played 121 defensive snaps during his 2021 debut season, will play for the Falcons runner in 2022, head coach Arthur Smith told reporters on Thursday.
Williams, 23, was selected in the fifth round last year outside of Boise State. The 5-foot 9 and 195-pound player made appearances in 15 games in 2021, mostly on special teams. Williams returned 20 points for 153 yards and 23 kicks for 490 yards, leading all Falcons players, including ace back Cordarrelle Patterson, in each category. On defense, Williams played in moderation, but recorded 22 innings and three QB hits and forced a balance.
Smith’s Falcons love to experiment with positionless football in attack: Patterson, a former receiver and returner, is primarily a runner, while tight end Kyle Pitts makes more aligned shots as a wide receiver, so moves a player as a player. Williams in the corridor is not out of character for the franchise. Williams should also feel comfortable in his new position as he was a star runner at JSerra Catholic (California) High School.
The sophomore Falcon will compete with Patterson, Damien Williams, Qadree Ollison, Caleb Huntley and Tyler Allgeier to take photos at RB.
Williams is the latest addition this season to an Atlanta offensive that needs a lot of juice (QBs Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder; RB Williams; WRs Drake London, Bryan Edwards, Damiere Byrd, KhaDarel Hodge, Auden Tate; TE Anthony Firkser ). The Falcons also added former Tennessee Titans back Jeremy McNichols on Thursday.
Atlanta’s gain in attack will not be at the expense of its special equipment unit. Williams is still expected to play a factor in the return match in 2022.