The Kansas City Chiefs spent the offseason targeting their areas of weakness through free agency and the draft. They made left tackle a priority, added a talented wide receiver, and bolstered the trenches in the draft. As a result, the Chiefs have one of the deepest and most talented rosters they had over the last couple of years.
This means that difficult decisions will need to be made. The Chiefs have solid depth across all positions, and a few deserving candidates will have to take a backseat after training camp.
One of the fiercest competitions will take place in the cornerback room. The Chiefs signed Kristian Fulton in free agency and drafted Nohl Williams in the third round of the draft. Jaylen Watson will be healthy to start the season after being a standout performer in the first half of 2024 before his injury. Joshua Williams, Nazeeh Johnson, and Christian Roland-Wallace are also vying for a spot in the rotation next season.
Nohl Williams Facing an Uphill Battle After Slow Start at OTAs
This complicates the path to playing time for Nohl Williams in his rookie season. The rookie was called out by defensive backs coach Dave Merritt last week, as he struggled during OTAs. Merritt said that Williams needs to continue to grow as his head was "spinning a little bit."
It's important to note that it is early in the offseason, and OTAs don't matter too much. Williams has the tools to be a ballhawk that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo covets in his defenders. Plus, he was a third-round pick, meaning that he is at no risk of not making the 53-man roster.
At the same time, this is not a great start. Williams is better suited on the perimeter, similar to Watson, Joshua Williams, and Fulton. If the slow start at OTAs means that he will be behind all three in the pecking order, he will find it hard to see defensive snaps as a rookie. His special-teams snaps could eventually earn him more of a look on the secondary, but it's clear that the rookie out of California is facing an uphill battle over the next few months.