Former Pro Bowler Kevin Williams will be a rotational player if signed by Patriots

If signed, Williams would likely be called on to rush the passer in New EnglandJim McIsaac: Getty Images North America

Free agent defensive tackle Kevin Williams has been a starter for the entirety of his 11 season career, all with the Vikings. However, the six-time Pro Bowler is unlikely to walk right into an every-down role with a new team at age 33, and his recent comments about last week's visit with the Patriots indicate that he's at peace with playing in a reduced role.

“He [Bill Belichick] went through the roster and basically explained where I could fit in with those guys. They had a lot of injuries and they have some veteran guys coming off of injuries that play tackle, and I would have a chance to compete for a position there. Either way, we’d have a good rotation and have a chance to win some games.”

“I think I still have some juice in the tank and to be in a nice rotation, it would maximize both for me and whatever team I’m with to both get the best from it”

Whether Williams becomes the latest high profile veteran addition to the Patriots defense will likely depend on the health of the players already on the depth chart. On paper, the Patriots depth chart looks stacked at defensive tackle, with Vince Wilfork, Tommy Kelly, Dominique Easley, Armond Armstead, Sealver Siliga and Chris Jones all already on the roster. However, Wilfork, Kelly, Easley and Armstead are all coming off of major injuries, and the team could find itself thin up the middle early on in the season if they aren't ready to go come September.

A strength in numbers approach at the position could be the best way for the Pats to limit the workload of older players like Wilfork and Kelly, lowering their possibility of re-injury as they return from Achilles and knee surgeries. Williams comes with 60 career sacks on his resume, and could give the team another interior pass rushing option. He's also said that he wants to play for a winning organization with a proven quarterback, which describes the Patriots to a "T".

However, if the Pats are serious about landing his services, they may have to strike sooner rather than later. Williams has also visited with both the Seahawks and Giants, and the Vikings have also recently stepped up talks to keep their star lineman around for a few more seasons.

Do you want the Patriots to add Kevin Williams to their defensive line rotation? Let us know in the comments or via social media (I'm @therealnedbrady on Twitter).