Latest news with #NohlWilliams
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Early offseason programs are meant to integrate new faces, especially rookies, into their new environment though some like Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Nohl Williams experience significant growing pains in the process.
Early offseason programs are meant to integrate new faces, especially rookies, into their new environment though some like Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Nohl Williams experience significant growing pains in the process. originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Kansas City Chiefs continue to progress through OTAs with mandatory minicamp approaching in the coming days and training camp ahead next month. For now, veterans are working back into football shape and the younger guys are finding their legs. Advertisement While the rookies get their own minicamp following the draft, much of this process is somewhat of a baptism by fire. They are not thrown into game situations, but instead tasked with holding their own against veteran competition in a controlled setting. Some take these experiences in stride, dealing with little to no setbacks in the process. Others find that the learning curve is not so steep through their progression. Rookie Nohl Williams appears to fall into that latter category. The cornerback, selected in the third round out of Cal, still has some adjustments to make in handling the size, speed and all around ability at the professional level. Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt noted Williams' struggles thus far, sharing some brutally honest feedback from his first few weeks at OTAs. Advertisement "His head is spinning a little bit. A lot of volume," Merritt said. "He's playing one position, corner. For that one position, he needs to continue to grow." Williams touts an impressive resumé despite his status as a third-round pick. He enters the league with a reputation as a ballhawk in the college ranks, leading all of NCAA Division I in interceptions last season with seven. However, the All-American has learned the NFL presents an entirely different challenge at his position with an abundance of remarkable receiving talent spread across all 32 teams. Luckily, this is a natural symptom of life as a young defensive back in the NFL. The younger crop tend to get picked on when they hit the field in their early years. Advertisement And in Kansas City, there is certainly an expectation to adapt quickly. That's not to say the Chiefs are not focused on development, rather that process happens at a much faster rate when the team continually finds themselves competing for championships. That should also work in the rookie's favor surrounded by veterans in the defensive backfield, including Trent McDuffie who has two Super Bowls to his own resumé. McDuffie entered the league under similar circumstances with the Chiefs and has benefitted from the challenge, already recognized as one of the best corners in the league. Time will tell if Williams can find his way on a similar path to success though he clearly has his work cut out. Related: Do Chiefs Have 'Enough In The Tank' For Super Bowl Run? Related: Chiefs' Mahomes Announces Major Decision on 2028 Olympics This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kansas City Chiefs officially sign DB Nohl Williams to a rookie contract
The Kansas City Chiefs will officially sign cornerback Nohl Williams to a rookie contract after selecting him in the 2025 NFL draft last month. Williams was Kansas City's third-round pick and joined the Chiefs after an impressive collegiate career in California. After transferring from UNLV in 2023, Williams totaled 53 tackles, six pass deflections, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and two touchdowns. In 2024, he earned First Team All-ACC honors and was a Consensus All-American, leading the FBS in interceptions with seven. News of Kansas City's latest signing was first reported by NFL insider Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, Texas: The deal is reportedly $6.335 million, including a $1.247 million signing bonus, plus $50,000 workout bonuses in 2026, 2027, and 2028. Omar Norman-Lott, the Chiefs' second-round pick, is the only remaining rookie from the draft class unsigned at the moment.
USA Today
28-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kansas City Chiefs Sr. Director of Player Personnel Mike Bradway on CB Nohl Williams
Kansas City Chiefs Sr. Director of Player Personnel Mike Bradway on CB Nohl Williams During his press conference over the weekend, Kansas City Chiefs Senior Director of Player Personnel Mike Bradway shared his thoughts on third-round draft pick Nohl Williams' readiness to step in and play immediately. "I think he (Nohl Williams) – you know, with a guy that's a four-year starter with that kind of intelligence (and) experience, I think he can come in and contribute right away." said Bradway, "Now, we have a lot of good players in the (cornerback) room. I think his special teams – the value there is obviously where he can probably make an impact early. I think with his experience (and) resume, I think he's probably more pro-ready than a lot of corners you might take in that range." Williams mentioned a desire to learn more from All-Pro Trent McDuffie in his introductory press conference. With his takeaway abilities, he could be a cornerback in contention for valuable playing time next season. In 2024, Williams' seven interceptions at California earned him First-Team All-ACC honors and made him a Consensus All-American.
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kansas City Chiefs DB Nohl Williams on ballhawk skills: 'Keep honing my craft'
Kansas City Chiefs DB Nohl Williams on ballhawk skills: 'Keep honing my craft' During his introductory press conference late Friday night, Kansas City Chiefs third-round pick Nohl Williams explained how his ball-hawking abilities, developed in college, led to him leading the nation in interceptions in 2024. "It comes from being consistent on the jugs and continuing to practice my ball skills in practice, and trying to translate it on the field. "Just making sure my eyes are in the right spots, my feet are nice and clean, and tight," said Williams. "How am I going to translate that to the pros? I feel like I have to learn from guys like Trent McDuffie (and) other guys in the room, for sure, and just come to work every day and keep honing my craft, keep perfecting my craft." After transferring from UNLV in 2023, Williams totaled 53 tackles, six pass deflections, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and two touchdowns. In 2024, Williams' seven interceptions from the previous year at California earned him First Team All-ACC honors and made him a Consensus All-American. Williams should fit in well with the Chiefs' secondary, seeking more takeaways from the secondary. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has asked for this throughout the 2024 season, and this could have been a determining factor in the former Golden Bears standout's selection.
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Instant analysis: Chiefs trade up to draft Cal Golden Bears DB Nohl Williams in Round 3
Instant analysis: Chiefs trade up to draft Cal Golden Bears DB Nohl Williams in Round 3 On Day 2 of the 2025 NFL draft, the Kansas City Chiefs exclusively targeted players who will be able to help their defense next season. After picking defensive linemen Omarr Norman-Lott and Ashton Gillotte with the No. 63 and 66 picks, Kansas City chose California Golden Bears defensive back Nohl Williams in Round 3. The Chiefs had to execute a trade with the New England Patriots to land the No. 85 pick that netted them Williams. In exchange for the No. 85 selection, Kansas City sent New England pick No. 95 and a 2026 fourth-rounder. Check out what resident draftnik Sam Teets had to say about Williams in a recent Chiefs Scouting Report: "Williams possesses the physical tools to see playing time early in his NFL career, but he needs to clean up his footwork. He lacks the twitch to recover when his technique breaks down early in plays. He defaults to grabbing and hooking receivers to hide his mistakes. Williams looks for opportunities to jump routes in zone coverage and quickly closes when routes break in front of him. Unfortunately, he often drifts in coverage and isn't a fast processor post-snap to diagnose route combinations. His ball skills pop at the catch point and helped him amass seven interceptions in 2024. Williams is one of the more controversial cornerback prospects in the 2025 NFL draft. He possesses the physical talent to be a top 100 selection." The 2025 NFL draft class isn't particularly deep at the cornerback position, so Kansas City's trade up for Williams was necessary to ensure that the Chiefs got a chance to land a new ball hawk. All in all, Kansas City got good value by picking Williams at No. 85, even if it took a trade to make the selection happen.
