Player Page

Weather | Roster

Dan Williams | Defensive Lineman

Team: Arizona Cardinals
Age / DOB:  (25) / 6/1/1987
Ht / Wt:  6'3' / 327
College: Tennessee
Contract: view contract details
Share: 

Latest News

Recent News

Cardinals NT Dan Williams checked into training camp at 314 pounds.
It's notable because Williams has struggled with weight and conditioning ever since the Cards took him 26th overall in 2010. With his broken arm healed and weight down, he has a stranglehold on the starting nose tackle gig. The Cardinals ranked 21st against the run last season. Wed, Jul 25, 2012 12:57:00 PM
Source: Mike Jurecki on Twitter

Highest Searched Players over the last 7 days


Player News

Date:
Dan Williams - DL - Cardinals

Cardinals NT Dan Williams (arm) is expected to be at 100 percent for training camp.

Williams was outplayed by seventh-round rookie David Carter last season before breaking his arm in Week 11. The Cardinals appear confident that the 2010 first-round pick will show up to camp in shape. Set on the ends with Calais Campbell and Darnell Dockett, the Cardinals need Williams to take a third-year leap in order to reach their potential on the defensive line.
Source: Arizona Republic
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 04:51:00 PM
Dan Williams - DL - Cardinals

Cardinals NT Dan Williams "(appears) to be in much better shape" than he was last offseason.

Per a team source, Williams is in a "much better state, both physically and mentally." Williams has long struggled with his conditioning, but vowed to get and stay fit after last season, and has apparently stayed true to his word. He's spent the past six weeks "working regularly" with Arizona's strength-and-conditioning coach. Williams will open 2012 with a starting job.
Source: ProFootballWeekly.com
Mon, May 28, 2012 09:33:00 AM
Dan Williams - DL - Cardinals

Cardinals NT Dan Williams has remained at his playing weight of 327 this offseason.

A "daily visitor" at the Cardinals' facility as he rehabs from a broken arm, Williams has apparently finally committed to staying in shape. "I just want my coaches and teammates to trust I’ll be at the right weight," he said. Williams will be 100 percent for training camp, and should open 2012 as a starter.
Source: AzCardinals.com
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 10:56:00 AM
Dan Williams - DL - Cardinals

Cardinals NT Dan Williams promises to spend the bulk of the offseason at the team facility to stay in shape after battling weight problems during his first two NFL seasons.

"There was a lot of immaturity on my part," Williams admitted. "It was my first time out of college, I had a lot of money, and I didn't have to be up here for anything so I really learned my lesson. But I'll be spending all of my time here in the Valley and working with Coach (John) Lott." Williams' second season ended on injured reserve with two fractured bones in his left arm.
Source: Arizona Republic
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 10:50:00 AM
Dan Williams - DL - Cardinals

Cardinals placed NT Dan Williams on injured reserve with two fractured bones in his left arm, ending his season.

Arizona has been high on sixth-round rookie David Carter, but he's built more like a defensive end at 6'5/297 whereas Williams was a prototypical stout run plugger. Upgrade opposing running backs against the Cardinals down the stretch. Williams should return as the starter in 2012.
Related: David Carter
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 03:48:00 PM
Dan Williams - DL - Cardinals

The Arizona Republic reports that Cardinals NT Dan Williams is done for the year with a fractured left arm.

Apparently, it's not something he'll be able to play through with a club or brace. Williams, the 26th overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft, was finally showing signs of realizing his potential this year. Pro Football Focus has graded Williams positively against the run after a disappointing rookie season, and Arizona doesn't have another 330-pound defensive lineman to fill the void. This is an injury that could impact fantasy matchups down the stretch.
Source: Kent Somers on Twitter
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 08:25:00 PM
Dan Williams - DL - Cardinals

Cardinals NT Dan Williams left Sunday's game against the 49ers in the fourth quarter with a fractured arm.

Williams took a helmet from a diving Stewart Bradley right in the elbow. It was clearly a significant injury from the outset, as he was immediately in a ton of pain. Williams was put in an air cast and carted off the field.
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 07:01:00 PM
Dan Williams - DL - Cardinals

Cardinals NT Dan Williams admitted that he didn't work out hard enough during the lockout.

At least Williams admits it. He reported to camp at 334 pounds, six pounds more than his playing weight. He has also gotten winded too easily. "I should have done more. Next year, I'll know the proper steps and I'll put this behind me," Williams said. The 2010 first-rounder is still expected to start come Week 1.
Source: Arizona Republic
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 08:11:00 AM
Dan Williams - DL - Cardinals

Cardinals NT Dan Williams is out of shape.

The Arizona Republic's Kent Somers says Williams' condition has come as a "huge disappointment" to Cardinals coaches. Troubling news after Williams struggled with his conditioning for much of his rookie season last year, at one point being a healthy scratch because he was overweight. He's still likely to start over Nick Eason at nose tackle in Week 1.
Source: Arizona Republic
Sat, Aug 6, 2011 08:28:00 PM
Dan Williams - DL - Cardinals

Cardinals DT Dan Williams finished with the 11th-highest defensive tackle run-stopping grade in Pro Football Focus' player ratings, fourth-best among nose tackles.

Williams failed to show a knack for getting up field and pressuring the pocket, but he consistently beat opposing centers to bring down running backs near the line of scrimmage. He's never going to play on passing downs, but his snaps should pick up at Bryan Robinson's expense as a key run-stuffer in base packages.
Source: Pro Football Focus
Sun, Mar 20, 2011 04:39:00 PM
Dan Williams - DL - Cardinals

Cardinals DT Dan Williams has recorded 12 tackles in his past two games after racking up just 16 in his previous nine games.

The rookie failed to beat out veteran Bryan Robison in training camp, but his recent performance confirms he's still viewed as the team's long-term starter. Said coach Ken Whisenhunt, "In a year like this, you try to look for positives and he's (Williams) one of them." Regardless of Williams' recent performance, the Cardinals remain a major liability in the run defense department. Look for Knowshon Moreno to run wild in Week 14.
Source: Arizona Republic
Sat, Dec 11, 2010 08:37:00 AM
Dan Williams - DL - Cardinals

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said he's been pleased with the development of rookie DT Dan Williams even though the first-rounder has failed to beat out Bryan Robinson for the starting job.

"I think where you have really seen the progress Dan Williams has made has been on our goal-line defense," Whisenhunt said. "We've kept guys out of the end zone when they've been at the 1 or the 2-yard line. A big part of that is the way Dan has anchored the middle. He's going to really be a good player for us." Williams has registered 17 tackles and no sacks in nine games this year.
Source: Arizona Republic
Thu, Nov 25, 2010 09:11:00 AM
Dan Williams - DL - Cardinals

Cardinals DT Dan Williams is considered day-to-day after pulling his groin in Week 7.

His status for Week 8 is unclear. The first-round pick missed time earlier this season because he was overweight. He's played well when out there, though.
Source: Arizona Republic
Tue, Oct 26, 2010 09:33:00 AM
Dan Williams - DL - Cardinals

Cardinals DT Dan Williams left Sunday's loss to the Seahawks with a hip flexor and did not return.

The Cardinals are fairly deep at tackle with Bryan Robinson and Gabe Watson, but Williams has the upside to be a difference-maker. The extent of his injury is unknown.
Source: Arizona Republic
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 09:33:00 AM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Carson Palmer
2Drew Stanton
3Ryan Lindley
RB1Rashard Mendenhall
2Ryan Williams
3Stepfan Taylor
4Andre Ellington
5William Powell
GLB1Rashard Mendenhall
2Ryan Williams
3RB1Ryan Williams
2Stepfan Taylor
WR11Larry Fitzgerald
2Andre Roberts
3LaRon Byrd
4Jarett Dillard
5Dan Buckner
WR21Michael Floyd
2Ryan Swope
3Kerry Taylor
4Robert Gill
5Javone Lawson
WR31Andre Roberts
TE1Rob Housler
2Jeff King
3Jim Dray
4D.C. Jefferson
5Kory Sperry
K1Jay Feely