There was reason to wonder if rookie standout corner Nohl Williams might be set up for an obvious demotion after the recent addition of L'Jarius Sneed. However, Williams has poured cold water on this notion with a minicamp performance reminding KC and their fans of the defender's elite potential. Early in minicamp, Chiefs team reporter Matt McMullen noted that "Nohl Williams had a great day, knocking down multiple passes and tallying an interception in 7-on-7."
It's a show of confidence and a reminder that Williams isn't going anywhere despite the additions of first-round corner Mansoor Delane and the reunion with Sneed. This is after a rookie season where Williams was fighting for snaps with proven contributors as a mid-round rookie and consistently found his way onto the field.
The defender played 458 snaps and finished with a PFF rating of 74.5 that ranked 15th out of 114 qualifiers. It was an unexpected breakout season from a fourth-round dart throw, and it allowed the Chiefs to feel confident going forward with him as a mainstay on the backend of the defense.
While this included two notable starting options being brought in, Williams isn't showing any lack of confidence or signs of his progression slowing down. Fans should still expect the corner to be in the starting lineup and set for an obvious year two leap.
The buzz building around Nohl Williams is impossible to ignore
To put it simply, the promise of Williams is far too great for the Chiefs to consider pulling the defender from the starting lineup. It is more likely that the defense will utilize an early-season rotation as they attempt to figure out what the new-look defense offers and which pieces are the team's best three cover options.
Williams will unquestionably be one of them based on last year's show of progress and showing no signs of slowing down heading into year two. It is exciting to consider what the secondary might accomplish as the Chiefs have quietly rebuilt a group that hands Steve Spagnuolo a chance to put together years of stability.
One of the biggest pieces of this is Williams, with the corner expected to be an important contributor for the duration of his rookie contract. That isn't changing even after the arrival of the accomplished Sneed, and the hot start to minicamp serves as a reminder of this. No question, expectations are rising as the need for elite play is clear, but there is no reason to believe the corner isn't up to the task.
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