When the Arizona Cardinals concluded the 2025 season, it was noticeable to everyone in the league that the offensive line needed work. This group ranked #26 in efficiency, and it showed.
What contributed to this low number was the fact that both offensive tackles, Paris Johnson and Jonah Williams, ended up on IR at some point. Lack of good offensive guard play also donated to the problems.
RELATED: CARDINALS SELECT JAYDEN WILLIAMS OUT OF OLE MISS
During the entire offseason, many offensive line free agents have been signed, plus in the recent college draft, Arizona selected offensive guard Chase Bisontis from Texas A&M, and then OT Jayden Williams from Ole Miss.
Who is Williams? How can he help this offense?
Beginnings
Jayden Kiyon Williams was raised in Conway, Arkansas, and went to Conway High School. He was a star basketball player who was part of a state championship in his junior year. Williams was a great rebounder and rim protector, and his future appeared to be heading down the hardwood court.
He also played linebacker, receiver, and tight end with the football squad. During his senior year, he was playing receiver when his team’s offensive line suffered several injuries. He stepped up and switched to the offensive line and played both right and left offensive tackle for the remainder of the schedule.
High School accolades:
- 6A State champion (basketball)
- Selected to the 501 Basketball Team
- First Team All-Conference (basketball)
- Three-star recruit in football by rivals.com
His mother is Alonzia Williams, a single mom. He only had a few offers from colleges, including Kansas, McNeese State, Henderson State, Ole Miss, Central Arkansas, Ouachita Baptist University, and Missouri. He chose Ole Miss.
As with a lot of freshman players, Williams was redshirted. Then, when he got a chance to play, he started all 13 games at left tackle in his freshman campaign, a rare occurrence not only as a first-year player, but as an athlete along the offensive line. He was named to the Freshman All-American squad for his efforts.
In his sophomore year, he played in all 11 games but only had two starts at left tackle. He started the first six games at left tackle as a junior, but then sustained an injury and needed two meniscus procedures. During those few games, Williams graded out by Pro Football Focus as the team’s top run-blocker (91.7) and pass-blocker (84.3).
For his senior year, he switched to right tackle and started all 15 games, allowing just two sacks with only a single penalty.
Learning to play the opposite side makes Williams very versatile as he re-invented himself as a player.
Williams was one of the Cardinals’ ‘30 visit’ players. He is now a father with a daughter named Layla.
His Pro Day results:
Height: 6’-4”
Weight: 315 pounds
Hand: 9 1/2”
Arm: 33 1/2”
Wingspan: 6’-9” 7/8”
40-yard dash: 5.04
10-yard shuttle: 1.80
3-cone: 7.65
225-pound bench press: 21 times
Vertical jump: 29.5”
Broad jump: 8’11”
College games: 44
College snaps: 2,433
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Follow on social media:
Twitter: @jaydenkwilliams
Instagram: @jkwilliams89
What should Cardinals fans expect from Williams?
Two sacks allowed in 2025 in 551 passing snaps. Had 1,028 offensive snaps at right tackle this past season. Williams is a high-cut, smooth-muscled athlete with adequate length. Since he has played both sides in college, he instantly adds versatility and could eventually become a swing tackle. He has played against good competition in a tough conference throughout his whole career.
WHY HE COULD SUCCEED:
Williams looks comfortable blocking on the move and out in space on screens. Each season, he has had good PFF numbers, and after a bad knee injury in 2024, he rebounded nicely as he played the entire season last year without any issues. He is a very good, sturdy anchor with good movement skills on cutoffs and spin moves. Does not allow many sacks and has few penalties each week. Can get to the second level and works with his eyes up for a linebacker or safety. Wears his existing mass well but possesses ample bulking space. Tons of upside in pass-protection with a high ceiling. Very intelligent.
College accolades:
- Freshman Honorable Mention All-American
- East-West Shrine Bowl invitee
- Senior Bowl invitee
- SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll (Fall 2022)
- SEC First-Year Honor Roll (2021-22)
- Athletic Director’s Honor Roll (Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2022)
WHY HE COULD FAIL:
His depth points need some work to see better consistency. His upright, robotic style and wandering eyes lead to late reactions, and he needs to land first and latch, with limited ability to recover once the rep extends. His performance against speed rushers and in space raises questions about his fit in schemes requiring high levels of mobility and quickness. At times, Williams will have lapses in timing, which can expose him to movement.
