![\"Chiefs\u2019](\"https:\/\/news2.watchtowatch.top\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GettyImages-2242191415_1ef66c-e1763057469634.jpg\")
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Several members of the\u00a0Kansas City Chiefs\u2018 rookie class are making an impact, but a select few have managed to rise above the rest. One player on each side of the ball, in particular, has stood out.<\/p>\n
On defense, that man is none other than cornerback\u00a0Nohl Williams. Prior to the club\u2019s Week 10 bye, the third-round pick made a name for himself in multiple areas.<\/p>\n
Now that Kansas City is back to work, Williams\u2019 coaches have high praise for how he\u2019ll fare the rest of the way.<\/p>\n
Speaking to the media ahead of Week 11\u2019s game against the\u00a0Denver Broncos, special teams coordinator and assistant head coach Dave Toub tipped his cap to Williams. He believes the No. 85 overall pick from Cal has a future as a serious\u00a0NFL\u00a0player.<\/p>\n
\u201cExcellent,\u201d Toub said of Williams. \u201cI mean, he\u2019s been making tackles on kickoff. He\u2019s playing gunner. He\u2019s fast, and he\u2019s a really instinctive player. The future\u2019s real bright for him, I think, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nine games into the year, Williams\u2019 137 special teams snaps rank third on the team. Only fellow cornerback\u00a0Joshua Williams\u00a0(143) and linebacker\u00a0Jack Cochrane\u00a0(159) have logged more. The first-year man has played double-digit snaps in that realm in each of his games thus far. Even in games where he\u2019s had 20+ defensive reps, he\u2019s averaged 15.5 opportunities in the third phase of the game.<\/p>\n
Williams\u2019 snaps range from kickoff coverage (49) to kick return blocking (34), punt return protection (26), field goal coverage (18) or primary punt duty (10). According to\u00a0Pro Football Focus, 37 rookies have played at least 100 special teams snaps this season. His 69.2 composite special teams grade ranks 12th, just behind Chiefs rookie linebacker\u00a0Cooper McDonald.<\/p>\n
It isn\u2019t the most glamorous part of football, but it\u2019s an absolute necessity. For someone like Williams, it\u2019s a supplementary part of his profile that allows him to win over coaches like Toub. Down the stretch of the 2025-26 campaign, that prowess and trust will come in handy.<\/p>\n
Of course, unless you\u2019re a special teams nerd, you didn\u2019t necessarily come here for that. Defense is where Williams earns his keep \u2014 and could earn a nice payday years down the line, if he continues to make progress.<\/p>\n
Early in the year, the rookie didn\u2019t see the field a ton on defense. He went snap-less in Week 1, then had all of eight chances in Week 2. After 19- and 20-snap efforts in the next two games, that total dropped to just four in Week 5. Although Week 8 saw Williams play just eight defensive snaps, he averages just over 24 in his last four contests.<\/p>\n
That didn\u2019t happen by accident. Speaking after Toub on Thursday, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said he makes a conscious effort to give his players more to handle over time.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the season goes, we try to add because we feel like we can with our guys,\u201d Spagnuolo said. \u201cI think you can only do that if you\u2019ve got trust [that] the guys are going to pick it up and do it. There is part of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Williams, despite being a rookie, is no different. Not only did he set a career-high mark with 7 tackles in Week 9\u2019s 28-21 loss to the\u00a0Buffalo Bills, but he did so on a personal-best 44 defensive snaps. His next-closest 2025 total is 24.<\/p>\n
Spagnuolo acknowledged the increase, citing it as a matchup-related decision. He wanted to get star cornerback\u00a0Trent McDuffie\u00a0in the slot more, thus requiring some heavy involvement for Williams on the boundary.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a little bit more there,\u201d Spagnuolo said. \u201cI mean, their slot player\u2019s pretty good. I think we talked about this before \u2014 every week\u2019s going to be a little bit different. We\u2019ll see where we\u2019re at this week as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Williams is shining on defense, surrendering a solid 76.4 passer rating in coverage. His 76.8 PFF coverage grade ranks 11th out of 188 cornerbacks.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s<\/em> what\u2019s causing Williams to draw attention, in addition to plenty of praise, as his debut campaign continues.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive tackle Darnell Wright is not one to shy away from a challenge. The 2024 first-round pick has made it clear that he\u2019s ready to leave his mark on the NFL, and he\u2019s not just here to play \u2014 he\u2019s here to dominate. In a recent interview, Wright confidently declared, <\/p>\n Wright\u2019s words come after a standout rookie season, where he quickly established himself as one of the top young tackles in the league. Known for his powerful blocking and strong technique, he has proven time and time again that he belongs among the elite in the NFL. But for Wright, this is just the beginning. His fierce determination to be the best is evident, and he\u2019s not resting on his laurels.<\/p>\n Wright\u2019s path to the NFL was anything but easy. Growing up, he knew that if he wanted to make it to the top, he would have to put in the work \u2014 and that\u2019s exactly what he did. From countless hours in the gym to perfecting his craft on the field, Wright has dedicated his life to becoming the player he is today.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom a young age, I knew this was where I wanted to be,\u201d Wright said. \u201cIt\u2019s been a journey of hard work and sacrifice. Every practice, every drill, every rep \u2014 it\u2019s all been leading to this moment. I\u2019ve had to fight for everything I\u2019ve gotten, and now it\u2019s time to show everyone that I\u2019m here to dominate.\u201d<\/p>\n Wright\u2019s dedication hasn\u2019t gone unnoticed. His work ethic and commitment to improving have earned him respect from his coaches and teammates. Offensive line coach Mike Tomlin has praised Wright\u2019s ability to stay focused and maintain his high standards, calling him a “true student of the game” who is always looking for ways to improve.<\/p>\n As the Steelers prepare for the 2025 season, Wright\u2019s mindset is clear: he\u2019s ready to take his game to the next level. While his first year in the league was impressive, Wright knows that being a top-tier player is about consistency and continued growth. He\u2019s not satisfied with just being good \u2014 he wants to be the best.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not here to be a flash in the pan,\u201d Wright explained. \u201cI want to be known as one of the best tackles in the game, not just for one season, but for my entire career. I know what it takes, and I\u2019m willing to put in the work to make that happen.\u201d<\/p>\n Wright’s relentless drive and self-confidence are exactly what the Steelers need on their offensive line. As one of the youngest and most talented players on the roster, he has the potential to become a cornerstone of the team for years to come. His ability to protect the quarterback and open up running lanes will be crucial to the success of the offense, and Wright\u2019s determination to dominate every snap will make a significant impact on the field.<\/p>\n With Wright\u2019s unyielding focus on his goals, it\u2019s clear that he\u2019s determined to leave a legacy in the NFL. His ambition and work ethic set him apart from other players, and the Steelers are fortunate to have a player like him on their team. As the season progresses, fans can expect to see Wright continue to dominate at the tackle position, showing everyone that his talent and dedication are unmatched.<\/p>\n Wright\u2019s message to the world is clear: he\u2019s here to stay, and he\u2019s ready to prove that he\u2019s one of the best in the league. The NFL should be on notice \u2014 Darnell Wright is coming, and he\u2019s coming to dominate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Several members of the\u00a0Kansas City Chiefs\u2018 rookie class are making an impact, but a select few have managed to rise above the rest. One player on each side of the ball, in…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7743,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7744","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breaking-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t