2. K’Waun Williams, San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers had a bit of an outside cornerback problem opposite Richard Sherman in 2019. One of the NFL’s best defenses last season would have been even better had Ahkello Witherspoon done something besides allowing touchdowns (six through the air), or if the defensive staff had been definitive about the fact that Emmanuel Moseley was the better option. Regardless, one thing defensive coordinator Robert Saleh didn’t have to worry about was the slot position, which is important when your defense lines up with five defensive backs on 70% of your snaps.
Williams, an undrafted free agent out of Pitt, spent 2014 and 2015 with the Browns, missed the 2016 season in an injury dispute, and ultimately landed on the 49ers’ roster in time for the 2017 season. He saw a lot of reps in 2017 and 2019, but 2019 was the season in which he became an indispensable part of a championship-level defense as an inside defender. Williams allowed 50 catches on 69 targets for 389 yards, 258 yards after the catch, no touchdowns, two interceptions, and an opponent passer rating of 73.9.
He’s not the biggest guy at five-foot-9 and 185 pounds, but as is true of a lot of smaller defenders, Williams brings smooth and fluid movement skills to the field, as well as the speed and range to take everything from bubble screens to deep posts against some of the NFL’s best receivers.