Vikings D-Lineman Boasts Added Size, Muscle in Bid to Withstand Battles on the Line

Vikings d-lineman Elijah Williams is a success story playing out in real time. Already, the young fella has exceeded expectations by going from offseason tryout to UDFA contract to 53-man roster.

Williams, quite evidently, isn’t incapable of overcoming long odds.

After the second day of minicamp at TCO Performance Center,Vikings Territory had the chance to chat with the Vikings d-lineman for a few minutes. Doing so offered an opportunity to learn a bit more about his comfort level going into his sophomore season, how he has been building his body, and working under the coaching from Ryan Nielsen.

Vikings D-Lineman Elijah Williams is Back and Burly

Williams likes the teaching he’s getting from Coach Nielsen.

Being able to watch the defensive line coach go to work is a treat. He’s ultra specific in his instructions, leaving little room for ambiguity about how to defeat blockers. Williams has noticed: “I love it because he’s just going to make sure that you’re doing the right thing and you understand why you’re doing it. He’s a great coach.”

“That hands on really helps,” Williams clarified, “and you can tell, you can feel his enthusiasm.”

After saying that he’s feeling healthy and well, Elijah Williams described adding on some size to better thrive in the rough-and-tumble life of an NFL lineman.

Williams explained that he’s sitting at 305 and that that has been intentional: “I’m going to stay in that range, it feels better for taking on double teams.” Any lineman living on the inside needs to be able to soak up blocks, but generally it’s a 1T — shaded on the center — who clogs running lanes while demanding a pair of blockers. Williams foresees some of that regardless of being a touch closer to the end of the line.

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Last season, Williams played in seven games, earning 9 tackles within his 42 snaps on defense and 29 snaps on special teams. He’ll be looking to increase his workload and his production.

Describing a willingness to play essentially “everywhere” given Brian Flores’ proclivity for shuffling players around, Williams said that he feels “very comfortable.” Part of that has meant “less nervousness,” thereby allowing him to focus on his “technique.”

“I’m just trying to take it day by day. I just want to be better than I was last year. Make more of an impact on this team,” Williams said.

As things stand, Jalen Redmond is the top player along the defensive line. He’ll be supported by a pair of rookies in Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange. Moreover, Levi Drake Rodriguez is a noticeable presence on the field, offering great burst and energy. He, too, will be somebody who is very important.

Lost in the shuffle, perhaps, is Elijah Williams. The 23-year-old Vikings d-lineman is unlikely to be the second coming of Kevin Williams, but he’s a good ball player who has shown a knack for winning an uphill battle.

The defender is back and heavier. Ideally, that allows him to prove sturdier at the line of scrimmage as he helps a team undergoing a broader youth movement within the front seven.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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