Patriots Draft Bust Signs Deal With Projected Bottom-Tier Team

N'Keal Harry isn't the only failed 2019 Patriots draft pick who still is trying to carve out a role for himself in the NFL.

So is Joejuan Williams, who New England took 13 picks after Harry five years ago. Williams had been without a job in the league since mid-May when he was released by the Minnesota Vikings, but the cornerback landed a new gig Tuesday when he signed with the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints marked the third team Williams joined since leaving the Patriots after the 2022 season. The Vanderbilt product signed onto Minnesota's practice squad in late August of last year but was pried away by Chicago one month later. The Bears eventually released Williams in late October, which allowed him to return to the Vikings practice squad days later.

The 26-year-old, who played in a combined 36 games with the Patriots over three seasons in New England, played in six contests in the 2023 campaign between the Vikings and the Bears. The 2019 second-round pick has yet to record an interception in the NFL and only has 10 career passes defended under his belt.

Williams joined a Saints defense that allowed the ninth-fewest passing yards in the league last season. It could be a long campaign in New Orleans, though, as Derek Carr and company currently are tied for the seventh-longest Super Bowl LIX title odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.