The Kansas City Chiefs' secondary struggled mightily in their season opener. However, in the three games since, they have steadily improved each week. That improvement has come without one of their biggest offseason additions, cornerback Kristian Fulton. Fulton, who sustained an ankle injury early in Week 2, has missed the last 11 quarters of Chiefs football.
In his place, third-round rookie Nohl Williams has stepped up. Williams has shocked everyone with how ready he was to play in the NFL. Thus, when Fulton returns, playing Williams beside him would give the Chiefs their best defensive lineup. Unfortunately, for one veteran, it would mean his days in Kansas City are numbered.
Nohl Williams Must Replace Jaylen Watson When Kristian Fulton Returns
Entering the season, there were questions surrounding how Jaylen Watson would perform. The 27-year-old suffered a fractured fibula last season that kept him out for most of the year. When he did return for the playoffs, he didn't have the best outings.
In the conference championship game, as well as in the Super Bowl, Watson was unable to record a pass coverage grade above 56.7, according to Pro Football Focus. That said, he has started the 2025 season playing like he was before the injury.
In four games, the 27-year-old has a pass coverage grade of 72.6, a run defense grade of 73.2, earning him an overall grade of 74.9. Moreover, he has allowed a reception percentage of just 58.8%.
Nevertheless, Williams has played even better when given the chance. In 47 snaps, Williams has a pass coverage grade of 93.7 and an overall grade of 92.3 from PFF. Furthermore, he has allowed just two receptions on seven targets to go along with two pass breakups. What makes this even more impressive is that the rookie has gone up against the likes of DeVonta Smith, AJ Brown, Malik Nabers, and DeAndre Hopkins.
Each one of those players is either an established veteran or a rising star. Holding his own against that group of receivers proves that Williams may be ready to be a full-time starter. Even so, some in Chiefs Kingdom may argue for keeping him on the bench. While this argument would allow the rookie to continue developing in the shadows, it could be a detriment to the Chiefs' success this year.
Playing your best players is what leads teams to Super Bowl championships. Right now, it looks like Williams may be one of Kansas City's best defensive backs. His emergence doesn’t just strengthen the secondary — it could reshape the depth chart and raise the ceiling of the entire defense. That’s the kind of breakout that has a bigger impact than most fans ever expected.