Among the most exciting Kansas City Chiefs’ storylines in 2025 has been the emergence of third-round pick Nohl Williams. This isn’t just a great underdog story of a Day 2 pick working his way into the starting lineup, but a corner who has quickly established himself among the league’s elite. A big piece of this is defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Kansas City’s ability to find failing pieces or overlooked prospects and put together a defense that performs to the highest level when the game matters most.
This has been on full display not only from Williams, but the unit as a whole through the first four weeks of the year. However, it is the emergence of the rookie corner that has fans understandably excited for the future. A to Z Sports’ Charles Goldman highlighted this, pointing out that while facing DeVonta Smith, A.J. Brown, Malik Nabers, and DeAndre Hopkins over the last weeks of the season, he has given up two receptions for 10 yards while having two pass breakups as well. Pointing to the fact that the corner is quickly approaching elite territory.
Chiefs Rookie Nohl Williams Continues to Shocking Emergence in Early-Season Dominance
It is important to note that Williams isn’t being consistently tasked with shutting down a team’s best receiver. However, it hasn’t mattered what the Chiefs ask of the rookie; he has been up to the task. This is evidenced by a 92.3 Pro Football Focus grade that ranks first in the league at the position among qualifiers. In Williams’ rookie season to lead the league in PFF grade with a notable sample size is an incredible accomplishment.
One that points to the fact that the Chiefs have found yet another overlooked draft gem. Williams was drafted out of California 85th overall and was initially viewed as a depth option or, at best, a 4th corner, something that injuries and a great camp and preseason performance quickly changed. The defensive back went from an afterthought to a potential starter, to now establishing himself as one of the league’s best corners.
With that said, it is important to note that it remains very early in the year. The Chiefs still have tough tests ahead, and growing pains are to be expected. Even a rookie playing at this level is bound to make a mistake or miss an assignment. However, the most important factor here is how quickly Williams has shown his potential ceiling and earned the trust of Kansas City fans.
Leaving little question that the defense is going to continue to be among the league’s best, thanks to a great development system and the genius of their defensive coordinator. For Williams, you simply cannot let the moment get too big, understanding the long season ahead and continuing to do exactly what has resulted in putting you in a conversation among the league’s elite.
