DT Kevin Williams meeting with Giants brass

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Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Per a report from the Minneapolis Star Tribune, veteran defensive tackle Kevin Williams flew into New Jersey to take a visit with the Giants. The 34-year old had dinner with defensive line coach Robert Nunn on Monday night, and he’s scheduled to sit down with Tom Coughlin and front office brass on Tuesday.

The 9th overall selection by the Vikings in 2003 — a famous pick wherein Minnesota was forced to “pass” on its #8 choice — Williams has never been actively engaged in the free agent process during his 11-year career:

"“I’m not sure what’s going to happen. I played 11 years in Minnesota. It didn’t work out there and this is my first visit with another team. I’m not sure how to feel. It’s all new to me.”"

Ironically enough, the arrival of former-Giant Linval Joseph in the north has ultimately opened the door for Williams’ departure. The Vikes are stacked in the middle, and the Jints are in desperate need of depth along the front line.

A six-time Pro Bowler (last in 2010) and five-time First-Team All-Pro (last in 2009), Williams has the NFL’s 14th highest active “Approximate Value” according to the Pro Football Reference scale. This measure is comparable to the widely used “Wins Above Replacement” in Major League Baseball.

By no means is he the juggernaut of years past, but Williams can still provide a disruptive body in a rotational capacity. He earned a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 7.3 in 2013, recording 16 solo tackles and 14 QB hurries in 733 snaps.