Chiefs Trade Up to Add Corner Nohl Williams

The Chiefs made defense a high priority in this draft. They used three of their four picks on defense, and moved up in round three to draft California Cornerback standout, Nohl Williams.

In 2024, the Kansas City Chiefs’ secondary was a mixed bag of success. However, with the loss of L’Jarius Sneed a year earlier, the unit struggled, and that showed mightily in their Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

With an injury to Jaylen Watson, Trent McDuffie had to play more outside than in the slot, where he excels. Already this offseason, McDuffie has recently stated that the plan is for him to return inside, and by drafting a true outside corner in Nohl Williams, the Chiefs’ secondary gains a significant addition.

The Chiefs moved up in round three, swapping picks with the New England Patriots and also sending them the 2026 fourth-round pick they acquired from the Chicago Bears for Guard Joe Thuney.

Williams led the FBS in interceptions with seven interceptions that include a pick-six. He is a tall corner with great instincts who can stare down receivers and jump off routes to make interceptions.

He’s also a terrific special-teams player who Dave Taub can use on special teams as a gunner or in the return game.

However, the Chiefs drafted him for his play-making abilities on defense, and he’ll be in the mix with Watson, McDuffie, and free agent signee Kristian Fulton.