Ascending L'Jarius Sneed Replacement Named to '2024 All-Breakout' Team

The Chiefs have the difficult task of replacing star CB L'Jarius Sneed but have several young defenders ready to embrace new roles in the 2024-25 season. One of those players, 2022 fourth-round pick Joshua Williams, is predicted by one NFL insider to have a monster campaign.

Bucky Brooks, a former NFL player and scout who now works for NFL.com, named Williams to his 2024 'All-Breakout' Team, believing the third-year corner will emerge as Trent McDuffie's running mate.

After successfully picking 2023 breakouts for guys like George Pickens, Derek Stingley Jr., Derrick Brown, and Tyler Smith, Brooks has an excellent track record. If he's right about Williams, Kansas City's defense won't miss a beat.

Chiefs CB Joshua Williams Named to '2024 NFL All-Breakout' Team

We saw examples in the Super Bowl of how Williams can replace Sneed. He's at the bottom of the screen in the above clip, expertly pressing one of the league's best receivers in Brandon Aiyuk. He looks a lot like Sneed there, sticking to Aiyuk's shadow long enough for the Chiefs to blow the play up.

"Since his arrival as a fourth-round pick out of Fayetteville State in 2022, Williams' growth has raised eyebrows around the league, with scouts and executives appreciating the small-school standout's game," writes Brooks. "As an instinctive playmaker with exceptional length, Williams has earned rave reviews for his work as a part-time player in Kansas City's defensive backfield."

Williams played only 31% of the total defensive snaps last season but was one of the most valuable special teams contributors, illustrating the trust he's earned with the coaching staff. He allowed only a 44.8% completion percentage and 82.7 passer rating when targeted and at 6'3", Williams possesses the ideal size for a corner in Steve Spagnuolo's scheme.

Trent McDuffie is at his best when he has an elite press corner at his side and Williams fits that role better than fellow third-year CB Jaylen Watson.

"He is not afraid of the bright lights and big stage, as evidenced by his play as a young defender on the back-to-back Super Bowl champs," Brooks continues. "With more opportunities to showcase his talents against elite receivers in the AFC, Williams could emerge as a worthy complement to Trent McDuffie on the perimeter."

Kansas City is a verifiable factory for defensive backs, seemingly finding productive new corners every year like a Ford line churning out new cars. It'd almost be surprising if Williams wasn't the next example, and I've got full confidence that Chiefs fans will be singing the 24 year old's praises by season's end.

If you haven't already snagged a Williams #2 jersey, this may be a great time to invest before the public catches on to his talent.

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