KC Chiefs rookie report: Isiah Pacheco starts versus Jaguars

Joshua Williams, Cornerback (Round 4, Pick 135)

For the third consecutive game, cornerback Joshua Williams has played well in coverage. He had a forced incompletion and only allowed 8 yards in seven-man coverage snaps. He also played extremely well in zone coverage for most of the game and did an effective job limiting yards after the catch. He also made four tackles, while missing none, which is a fantastic trait for a boundary cornerback.

Joshua Williams has one of the highest ceilings of any player in the Chiefs’ 2022 NFL Draft class. If he can improve in man coverage and use his physical traits to his advantage, his impressive instincts in the running game and zone coverage, and tackling, I wouldn’t be caught off guard if he becomes a top ten cornerback in the NFL. I don’t believe it will happen, but he has the traits of a star.

George Karlaftis, Defensive End (Round 1, Pick 30)

On Jacksonville’s first drive of the game, George Karlaftis had a batted pass that just down the drive and forced them to punt. He batted another pass late in the first half. He also recorded four quarterback hurries when rushing Trevor Lawrence and tackled him twice when the young signal-caller scrambled. He also recorded a key defensive stop when he and Willie Gay brought down Lawrence on a third-down scramble to make fourth-and-short in Kansas City territory in the middle of the first quarter. Jacksonville would proceed to punt and the Chiefs would go up 7-0 shortly after.

In my opinion, this was the best game that George Karlaftis has played all season. This was by far his best performance against the run; he also rushed the passer pretty well and had two batted passes, one of which prevented what could have been a huge play by the Jaguars. If Karlaftis can play like this consistently, the Chiefs will be very happy with their second 1st round rookie of the 2022 draft class. Though he has been disappointing over the first two months of the season, hopefully, this game is the start of something special for the young edge rusher.

Trent McDuffie, Cornerback (Round 1, Pick 21)

Although I would classify this as Trent McDuffie’s weakest game of the season so far (out of three games), that isn’t saying much as he was still very good against Jacksonville. In 17 man coverage snaps, he was targeted four times but allowed 2 catches, one of which was a great throw and catch by Trevor Lawrence and Marvin Jones Jr., respectively. There’s not a lot that McDuffie could have done short of committing pass interference. Even though he was beaten a couple of times, McDuffie had great coverage on two deep shots (one to Zay Jones and another to Marvin Jones Jr.) and prevented two huge plays, one of which forced Jacksonville to punt.

On a team filled with rookie talent, Trent McDuffie looks like he could be the belle of the ball. Despite being undersized, he’s been great in man coverage all season and has not been afraid to get physical. He still has room to grow but has shown serious promise in limited action so far this season. He’s also the clear number two cornerback on the depth chart, behind L’Jarius Sneed, and will play a huge role when it comes time for another Super Bowl run.