Jaguars reportedly set to release CB Darious Williams, saving $11.5 million
The Jacksonville Jaguars continue to make salary cap-savings moves and will release veteran cornerback Darious Williams, according to multiple reports, saving the team roughly $11.5 million, according to OverTheCap. Williams was set to make $9 million in base salary this year.
The Jaguars will also reportedly release defensive lineman Foley Fatukasi, saving the team roughly $3,518,588 against their salary cap for the 2024 season.
The #Jaguars are planning to release CB Darious Williams, source said, in a move to create cap space. He had a $10.5M cap hit. He had 9 passes defended and four INTs last year.
This creates more room to franchise tag star pass-rusher Josh Allen.— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 5, 2024
By releasing both Williams and Fatukasi, the Jaguars will have about $40.089 million in effective cap space to work with, according to OTC.
Williams signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the team during the 2022 offseason. The deal included $18 million in guaranteed money. Williams made just over $20 million in two years in Jacksonville.
Williams, a Jacksonville native, started 29 games for the Jaguars, playing in all 34 games he was eligible for.
Help needed: Jaguars defense will rely heavily on cornerbacks. Who could they watch at the NFL Combine?
![Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Darious Williams (31) is introduced before an NFL football matchup Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Indianapolis Colts 37-20. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/F9OHtBsXFxIx0jyR7ZsMug--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the-florida-times-union/467c43b504671366e3af7ce78e703a62)
Last year, Williams was the team's best defensive back for much of the season. He accounted for 53 total tackles, three tackles for loss, four interceptions, one touchdown and 19 pass breakups. Williams ranked second in the league in pass breakups last season.
Prior to coming to Jacksonville, Williams was part of the 2021 Los Angeles Rams team that won Super Bowl 56. He has played six years in the league.
By releasing Williams, the Jaguars now will need to fill a significant hole opposite of fourth-year corner Tyson Campbell. Campbell is entering the final year of his deal after being drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Jaguars will also be losing nickel corner Tre Herndon, barring a contract extension before the new league year as he is slated to be an unrestricted free agent.
The Jaguars will have a slew of options this year in the 2024 NFL Draft, too. They met with multiple corners this past week at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Report: Jaguars to release CB Darious Williams, save $11.5 million
