The first player to be profiled in this year’s undrafted rookie spotlight is defensive lineman Kristian Williams. The Denver Broncos signed Williams following the 2025 NFL Draft. What are his chances of making the team?
The Broncos will have to form a 53-player roster and a practice squad that can carry another 16 players. Williams will get a chance to prove he belongs in training camp and the team’s three preseason games.
UDFA profile
Name: Kristian Williams
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 315
School: Missouri
Position: Defensive Lineman
Williams began his college career at Oregon before transferring to Missouri following the 2021 season. He is a strong defensive lineman who is likely best suited as a defensive tackle in a 3-4 scheme, which he will play in with the Broncos.
His best chance to get noticed this summer will be as a run defender, particularly in short-yardage situations. He is good at mixing it up at the point of attack and good at keeping ball carries to no gain or even a loss of yardage. He doesn’t provide much in the way of a pass-rusher, having just two sacks during his college career.
The Broncos have an improving defensive line with Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers and D.J. Jones as the likely starters. But behind them, the team has Malcolm Roach, Jordan Jackson and third-round pick Sai’vion Jones. Beyond that, Jordan Miller, Eyioma Uwazurike and Matt Henningsen all have promise.
In other words, it will be a tall task for Williams, who will be buried on the depth chart behind those names, to do enough in a few weeks of camp and a trio of preseason games to prove that he’s anything more than a practice squad stash who could offer some upside in the future.
The Broncos will have some tough decisions to make next offseason as Allen, Franklin-Myers and Roach are all scheduled to be free agents at season’s end. Williams could do enough to stick around and play on the practice squad all season leading into a strong summer in 2026 that earns him a spot in the rotation.
It’s a deep position group for the Broncos, so that is likely his best potential road to the roster.
Chances of making 53-man roster (1-10 scale): 2
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