GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers already lost one cornerback on the opening day of free agency. Now they're in danger of losing another.
Hours after Davon House signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tramon Williams was scheduled to visit the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday evening, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
The Packers made a run at re-signing House but wouldn't match the Jacksonville Jaguars' deal, which averaged $6.25 million per season.
Like they did with House, the Packers are monitoring Williams' situation and indications were they might be willing to do a shorter-term deal, perhaps two years, for around $5 million per season.
If the Packers lose Williams, they will have a void on the outside of their defense. They don't have another natural outside cover man on their roster to play opposite starting cornerback Sam Shields. Both House and Williams played almost exclusively on the outside, while Micah Hyde and Casey Hayward have both played in the slot.
Hyde split his time between safety and nickel cornerback last season, while Hayward played in the dime. However, Hayward has regularly insisted he can play either inside or outside. If the Packers lose Williams, he might get that chance.
There's also a chance the Packers could look to the free-agent market for a replacement. Several media reports have linked the Packers to Darrelle Revis, who became available when the New England Patriots declined to pick up his option for $20 million this season. Another Patriots cornerback, Brandon Browner, is also on the market.
Williams has been as dependable a player the Packers have had on defense. He has played in 140 out of a possible 141 games since he first made the roster in 2007. At age 31, Williams played in every game last season, including playoffs.
Williams, who will turn 32 on Monday, is a native of Houma, Louisiana. He played in college at Louisiana Tech and makes his offseason home in Napoleonville, Louisiana.