Fooch's note: The deal is reportedly worth $5 million to $6 million per year.
The #49ers deal for DT Ian Williams is 5 years worth between $5 and $6M per year, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2016
Huzzah! The San Francisco 49ers have agreed to terms with Ian Williams on a 5-year contract, according to Ian Rapoport and Pro Football Talk. The nose tackle was due to become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday afternoon, but will avoid the market with this deal.
This is a big piece returning for the 49ers defense. Although he is known primarily as a nose tackle, he worked his way into nickel defensive tackle work as well this past season. He led the defensive line in snaps, securing 57.8 percent of total defensive snaps. That's not Justin Smith or Ray McDonald levels from their final years, but it's a sizable chunk for a guy previously viewed mostly as a nose tackle.
The 49ers have passed on some of the defensive line depth in free agency this year, but the draft is expected to have extensive depth across the line. Right now, the 49ers starting defensive line heading into the offseason workout program would be Williams in the middle, and Quinton Dial and Arik Armstead on the outside. The team has Glenn Dorsey as well, but he is recovering from a torn ACL that likely will cost him some portion of the regular season. Tony Jerod-Eddie is due to hit free agency, but the team has reportedly offered him a multi-year extension as well.