KC Chiefs 7-round mock draft: Fixing Kansas City’s defense
By Evan Mead
6.189: Joshua Williams, CB, Fayetteville State
Joshua Williams is one of my guys this year and if the Kansas City Chiefs have the ability to take him with this pick, they should 110% do it. Williams is going to be a very good cornerback in the NFL as long as he gets drafted by a team that is willing to give him the right chances.
Measurables
Height: 6’2″ 1/2
Weight: 193 lbs.
Hand Size: 9 1/4 inches
Arm Length: 32 1/4 inches
Wingspan: 78 1/4 inches
Strengths
Joshua Williams is a small school stud and one of my favorite potential late-round picks in this draft class. He currently attends Fayetteville State and has begun rising up draft boards given his performances this past season and his performance during Senior Bowl week.
Williams has truly put on a clinic this season for Fayetteville State and it’s not just because of the competition but his skill set. Williams is a phenomenal press/man coverage cornerback and can pretty much run the routes for the receiver.
Williams is an athletic cornerback that takes his game to a whole different level. He uses his athleticism to help keep him with the receivers he faces and take them out of the play. Below, I have posted a couple of clips from him at the Senior Bowl.
Another really nice rep from the DBs in 1-on-1s came from Fayetteville State CB Joshua Williams. Put the clamp on Romeo Doubs so tight the QB didn’t even throw the ball. @seniorbowl pic.twitter.com/ZgardfdGgd
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) February 1, 2022
A lot of eyes on Fayetteville State CB Joshua Williams. A legit 6’3 corner with elite ball skills, loose hips and solid tackler. Great rep against Cincy WR Alec Pierce #TheDraftStartsinMobile™️ pic.twitter.com/jZ5d7L9HzP
— 4th and JAWN (@4thandJawn) February 1, 2022
As you can see, he has tremendous talent at the line to keep with the receiver and he plays a soft man coverage in the second clip I have posted above. Playing off the line he recognizes the play and uses his speed and athleticism to keep with wide receiver Alec Pierce and take him out of the play.
Weaknesses
Williams has one major concern for me but I don’t think of it too highly: competition. When it comes to playing in the NFL, you have to adapt to playing against some of the best players in the world, and Williams hasn’t played against comparable competition.
With Williams at the Senior Bowl last week, he had the chance to really rise up draft boards if he performed well. However, for now, this mock draft has Williams available and he is a Kansas City Chiefs player.
How He Fits With the Kansas City Chiefs
Going into next season, the Kansas City Chiefs have a need at cornerback on their roster between L’Jarius Sneed, Rashad Fenton, Chris Lammons, and DiCaprio Bootle as returning players. The Chiefs are likely not going to have the money to re-sign Chavarius Ward which means that they are going to have to replace him in the draft.
As I stated above, the biggest concern most people in the draft community have with Williams is the lack of competition. If he performs well at the Senior Bowl, then this pick’s value is through the roof.