When the Kansas City Chiefs moved up to select Cal CB Nohl Williams with the 85th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the club tweeted out: “We stole Nohl.”
As it turns out, this wasn’t just a fun play on words. After the first four weeks of the 2025 NFL season, despite limited repetitions in the team’s nickel personnel packages, Williams appears to be every bit the steal Kansas City thought he might be. He’s playing good, physical coverage against some of the best receivers in the league, and he’s not giving up an inch in coverage.
The numbers tracked by Pro Football Focus are rather staggering. In 40 coverage snaps, Williams has been targeted eight times, allowing a 25% completion percentage with just two receptions for ten yards. He’s broken up two passes and allowed just a 39.6 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks. He hasn’t missed a single tackle and has been credited with two defensive stops. PFF gives Williams a 92.3 defensive grade and 93.7 coverage grade, which both rank first among all cornerbacks in the league.
Chiefs CB Nohl Williams’ Week 4 Coverage Breakdown:
vs. DeAndre Hopkins in Week 4: No receptions, one pass breakup on one target.
vs. Tylan Wallace in Week 4: No receptions on one target.
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While the rookie has yet to record his first career interception, there are hardly any worries about that after leading the FBS in interceptions just last year. As his opportunities continue to
Nohl Williams looks like a long-term solution to the Chiefs’ cornerback problems
While Williams hasn’t played more than 36% of the team’s defensive snaps, his snap count has increased with each passing week. Even with Kristian Fulton slated to return from an ankle injury as early as Week 5, it’s hard to imagine a scenario in which the veteran supplants Williams in the lineup.
“Spags has put him in a little bit bigger role every week, and he seems to be stepping up,” Chiefs HC Andy Reid said of Williams on Monday. “I know he had a couple of nice, physical plays in there against some pretty good receivers. So, I liked what I saw there.”
Whether Williams earns more opportunities to contribute in 2025 remains to be seen, but this move was all about the long-term needs at the cornerback position anyway. Anything that they get out of Williams in 2025 is just a bonus. Players like Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams are unrestricted free agents in March, while Trent McDuffie is only under contract through the 2026 NFL season. Williams gives the team someone to build around in the long term.
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This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Sep 30, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.