The Kansas City Chiefs are off to a great start to the 2026 season. Not only have they shaken off the disappointment of last season, but they've looked like a potential Super Bowl contender again. A big part of that is because of the offensive brilliance of Patrick Mahomes and Kenneth Walker, but the defense has had some standout moments of its own, and no defender has looked better than cornerback Nohl Williams.
While Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson were KC's clear top corners last season, you could make a strong argument that Williams looked equally good when he was on the field. His Pro Football Focus coverage grade of 75.6 last season was just slightly better than Trent McDuffie's 74.7 and noticeably better than Jaylen Watson's 68.4. Now, through two games this season, Williams is on a similar pace with a current PFF coverage grade of 74.6.
The numbers back up Nohl Williams' strong start
If you want something more than PFF grades to go by, you can see in the chart below via Account Stat on X that Williams' quarterback rating allowed and yards per coverage snap allowed are also both among the best in the league.
CB coverage through week 2 pic.twitter.com/WTAYM3YDAg
— Stat Acccount (@AcccountStat) September 23, 2026
It's probably also worth noting that Kristian Fulton is ranked high in those metrics as well, but L'Jarius Sneed is unfortunately at the opposite end of the spectrum in both categories and is one of a few concerns on the defense. Fulton and Sneed's PFF coverage grades also back up those positions, with Fulton having a 72.7 and Sneed a pitiful 40.0. So while PFF grades and other stats aren't perfect, in the case of Nohl Williams, all the stats and grades match the eye test. He's playing really well.
If you haven't been watching Williams in the games to have an eye test to rely on, you can see a few great cut-ups in the clips below posted by Oliver Davis II on X, a great follow for defensive back coverage.
Strong start to the season for 2nd year Cornerback Nohl Williams. #ART pic.twitter.com/fKey9vlg9t
— Oliver Davis II (@I_Am_OD3) September 21, 2026
Williams displays the physicality to disrupt wide receivers' routes, the footwork and change of direction to stay with them, and the ball skills to get his hands on the ball when he has the chance. You mix in the fact that he's more than willing to come up and hit somebody in run defense, and you have a complete corner. Yes, his top-end speed may not be elite, but his physicality and ability to stick to his man more than make up for it. On 68 coverage snaps, Williams has only allowed 4 receptions and has 2 pass breakups.
Nohl Williams is outplaying the CBs drafted ahead of him
It's not just that Williams is playing well at such a young age (he just turned 24 on Wednesday); he's outplaying the other corners in his draft class taken much higher. His coverage numbers are clearly better than Denver Broncos first-round pick Jahdae Barron and Buffalo Bills first-rounder Maxwell Hairston. He's even put up better coverage numbers at corner than No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter.
The same is true of the corners taken in the second round (Will Johnson of Arizona, Benjamin Morrison of Tampa Bay, and Trey Amos of Washington). The bottom line here is that the Chiefs' former fourth-round pick may just be the best cornerback taken in the 2025 NFL Draft and could be not just a solid starting cornerback, but one of the best in the NFL. If KC's sixth overall pick, Mansoor Delane, ends up being anywhere near worth his draft slot, the Chiefs could have one of the best cornerback duos in all of the NFL, and that's coming off an offseason where they gave up their top two corners.
The Chiefs may have found their next cornerstone corner
The same is true of the corners taken in the second round (Will Johnson of Arizona, Benjamin Morrison of Tampa Bay, and Trey Amos of Washington). The bottom line here is that the Chiefs' former fourth-round pick may just be the best cornerback taken in the 2025 NFL Draft and could be not just a solid starting cornerback, but one of the best in the NFL. If Kansas City's sixth overall pick, Mansoor Delane, ends up being anywhere near worth his draft slot, the Chiefs could have one of the best cornerback duos in all of the NFL, and that's coming off an offseason where they gave up their top two corners.
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