The Kansas City Chiefs defense lost two key pieces this offseason. Trent McDuffie went to the Los Angeles Rams in a March trade that brought back multiple draft picks. Jaylen Watson signed a three-year deal with the Rams in free agency. Those exits opened the door for younger talent in the secondary.
Nohl Williams stands at the front of that line. The 23-year-old corner, selected in the third round of the 2025 draft out of California, spent his rookie year buried on the depth chart. This summer the situation changed.
Williams Sees a Clear Path
ESPN NFL analyst Ben Solak named Williams a potential breakout player for the Chiefs in 2026. Solak wrote that the former Cal standout fits the profile Steve Spagnuolo looks for in his corners.
“A smart press corner with a nose for the football at Cal, Williams seemed like an obvious middle-round Steve Spagnuolo corner up to and including the moment the Chiefs drafted him in the third round. Behind Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, Williams could never be more than third in the rotation. With both gone, he’ll be fighting with Kristian Fulton for a starting job opposite 2026 first-rounder Mansoor Delane.”
— Ben Solak, ESPN
Williams measured 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds at the draft. He showed quick diagnosis and ball skills in college. As a rookie he logged 458 defensive snaps and posted solid coverage grades despite the crowded room ahead of him.
The New Cornerback Room Takes Shape
Kristian Fulton arrived via free agency from the Titans in 2025. He brings starting experience but battled injuries and a reserve role last season. The Chiefs added another high-upside piece when they selected LSU corner Mansoor Delane with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 draft.
Spagnuolo’s scheme rewards corners who can press at the line, disrupt timing, and make plays on the ball. Williams’ college traits align with those demands. Training camp and preseason will determine who lines up outside opposite the rookie Delane.
Why the Timing Matters for the Chiefs
The Chiefs finished 6-11 in 2025 and missed the playoffs for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era. Their defense, long a strength, showed cracks. Mahomes tore his left ACL in December and underwent successful surgery. He is expected to return healthy for the 2026 season.
When a franchise quarterback misses time, the supporting cast must deliver. The secondary now leans on Williams, Fulton, and Delane to stabilize the group. Early camp work will reveal whether Williams can translate his college traits and limited rookie production into consistent starter-level play.
Williams waited behind established veterans. That wait ends this year. The physical and mental traits that made him an obvious Spagnuolo fit have not changed. The opportunity around him has.
What Comes Next
The Chiefs will evaluate the cornerback competition throughout training camp. Williams enters with momentum from Solak’s endorsement and a body of work that showed he could contribute even in a limited role. Fulton offers veteran steadiness. Delane brings first-round pedigree.
How the group performs will help determine whether the defense can rebound alongside Mahomes. The front office bet on youth and draft capital when it moved McDuffie and watched Watson depart. Williams now has the chance to justify that approach on the field.
Arrowhead Stadium will host its usual energy when the regular season arrives. The secondary’s ability to hold up in press coverage and create turnovers will play a direct role in how far this team can go.
