FLOWERY BRANCH — Defensive end James Smith-Williams, one of the Falcons’ low-profile free-agent signings, has been getting some work with the first-team defense early in training camp.
Smith-Williams noted that had a lobster and steak dinner at a restaurant in Buckhead when coach Raheem Morris and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake were recruiting him.
“Mr. (team owner Arthur) Blank paid for the luxury meal,” Morris said Tuesday. “Not me. I had the credit card. It was one of those things. We got a chance to take him out and just talk about a vision for him.”
They discussed what Morris called “role clarity” with Smith-Williams.
“What he has been is a big-time run-down (linebacker who’s) been able to stop the run,” Morris said. “He has the ability to show a little bit of pass rush when he has the opportunity. He’s showing up. He’s been fun to watch grow.”
Smith-Williams was a seventh-round pick (229th) out of N.C. State by Washington in the 2020 NFL draft. He played in 55 games and made 27 starts over the past four seasons in Washington. He signed a one-year contract worth $1.2 million with the Falcons, with $167,500 guaranteed.
“When you watched his tape at DC, you saw this physical edge-setter,” Morris said. “I remember his N.C. State tape. He was this physical edge-setter who gave you great effort. You can (visualize) him playing in certain situations right now.”
Smith-Williams, who is listed at 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds, said his free-agency period was stressful.
“I think I’m probably like a plus-size outside linebacker,” Smith-Williams said. “I get some of that tweener stuff at times. I can be on the edge and do my stuff out there. I also can kind of condense down if need be.”
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