The Kansas City Chiefs are staring down a pivotal offseason for their secondary. While Trent McDuffie has cemented himself as a Pro Bowl-caliber slot corner, 2025 saw him pushed to the boundary-a tough ask, even for a player of his caliber.
And with his rookie deal winding down, an extension is looming. Add in the fact that safety Bryan Cook and cornerback Joshua Williams are both hitting free agency, and suddenly the Chiefs’ once-deep defensive backfield is looking a little thin-and a lot more expensive.
But there might be a silver lining already on the roster.
Enter Noel Williams. He’s not exactly a household name in Kansas City just yet, but that could change fast. According to a league-wide early breakout candidates list, Williams was pegged as the Chiefs' top breakout pick-and the tape backs it up.
Williams didn’t make much noise early in the season, but when injuries and rotation opened up a window late in the year, he stepped in-and stepped up. What stood out wasn’t just his production, but how seamlessly he fit the mold of a typical Steve Spagnuolo corner: physical, disciplined, and unafraid to mix it up.
At 6’1”, 200 pounds, Williams has the size and frame Spags loves in his corners. He’s not a late-round flyer who happened to catch fire-he was a third-round pick out of Cal, a program known for producing savvy, technically sound defenders.
That pedigree showed up in his limited action. Williams posted a 75.6 coverage grade, broke up four passes, and showed flashes of versatility that could be key for a defense in transition.
What’s especially intriguing is how well-rounded his game already looks. He graded above average not only in coverage but also as a run defender (74.7) and even flashed some juice as a pass rusher.
That’s not just bonus material-that’s the kind of versatility that Spagnuolo loves to weaponize in his aggressive, hybrid-heavy scheme. A corner who can blitz, tackle, and cover?
That’s a defensive coordinator’s dream.
Still, potential is one thing-replacing seasoned veterans is another. With Cook and Williams potentially walking in free agency, the Chiefs will need Williams to grow up fast.
The luxury of easing young DBs into the mix may be gone. This offseason isn’t just about talent-it’s about trust.
Can Williams handle a bigger role? Can he be counted on to communicate, to lead, to anchor a secondary that may look very different come Week 1?
The Chiefs have been here before. They’ve built a reputation for developing young corners and plugging them into big roles without skipping a beat. If Williams is the next man up, he’s got the tools-and now, the opportunity.
Kansas City’s defense has been the backbone of their recent success, and if they want to keep that edge while managing the cap crunch, they’ll need more players like Noel Williams to step into the spotlight. Based on what we saw late last season, he just might be ready for it.