The emergence of Kansas City Chiefs rookie corner Nohl Williams has quickly become one of the league's better stories.
Williams was a third-round pick whose 2025 ceiling was expected to be as the 4th or 5th option at the position. Instead, the defender was forced into the lineup due to an injury to Kristian Fulton and wasted zero time establishing himself as an elite cover man, as evidenced by a 92.3 Pro Football Focus grade that leads the league at the position. Not only is Williams making a name for himself as an elite corner, but he's also among the league's best in the first four weeks of the season.
It is important to remember that it is incredibly early in the year, and a long road remains ahead for the rookie. However, nothing about his approach or the quality of opponents suggests meaningful regression. It has even allowed the Chiefs to move around already established corners. Chiefs' defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo noted this, via A to Z Sports' Charles Goldman, by talking about his ability to put Trent McDuffie in the slot more often. A telling comment of just how much trust Williams has already earned.
Chiefs Rookie Corner Nohl Williams Already Setting Up Teammates After Surprise Emergence
Each week, the Chiefs are giving Williams an increasing amount of trust that has been more than earned with his early dominance. It is a big reason why the Giants and Ravens were shut down over the last two weeks during the first half. His play also bought Patrick Mahomes and the offense needed time to get on the same page and begin to put a run together.
Kansas City's season-high in points in Week 4 was set up based on the confidence Andy Reid has in his defensive coordinator. Being able to match up with any receiver with your three corners and feel the matchup gives you a great chance is a rarity in this league.
Even after winning two of the last three Super Bowls with strong play in the secondary, this isn't something the Chiefs have felt they have had week-to-week. There have always been 1-2 guys you knew had a chance to create havoc and win their matchups. Now, you have a trio of corners that fit this description as well as the returning Fulton, who now appears poised to fill the fourth corner.
Add in the pending return of Rashee Rice later this month, and reports of Kansas City's demise have been greatly exaggerated. This is a team that now has a month's worth of noise to serve as motivation, just as Williams and the rest of his rookie class appear to be hitting their stride. No question, the league is in trouble with Spagnuolo having all the needed pieces for another defensively elite season.