Chiefs’ new cornerback Nohl Williams knows how to find the football

The Kansas City Chiefs had their eyes on Cal cornerback Nohl Williams, and they weren’t willing to risk missing out.

On Friday night, the second night in the 2025 NFL Draft, general manager Brett Veach packaged a 2026 fourth-round pick (from the Joe Thuney trade) to move up 10 spots — from No. 95 to No. 85 overall — to make sure they landed one of college football’s most productive defensive backs.

Williams, who led the nation in interceptions this past season, credits his ball-hawking ability to relentless practice.

Nohl Williams spoke with Chiefs reporters to talk about his physical playing style and joining the team's draft class.

“It just comes from being consistent on the jugs and practicing my ball skills," Williams said in his first media session as a Chief. "Making sure my eyes are in the right spots, my feet are nice and clean. Now it’s about learning from guys like Trent McDuffie and coming to work every day, perfecting my craft.”

At Cal, Williams wrapped his career with a stellar final season with 52 tackles, 7 interceptions, and 9 pass deflections in an All-American campaign. During his five-year college career, with the first three seasons spent at UNLV, he totaled 25 pass deflections and 14 interceptions.

Chiefs scout Greg Castillo spoke about Williams following Day 3 of the draft and praised his competitive spirit and called him an ideal fit for Spags' defense.

"The first thing that stood out was just from a person standpoint, this guy is uber competitive," said Castillo. "And he loves football. Then as far as the player's concerned... the versatility and the tackling ... Spags loves good tacklers, and he fits that mold perfectly."

More than just a turnover machine, Williams brings a physical edge to the Chiefs’ secondary. He takes pride in being a strong run defender — something that stood out to Kansas City's scouting department.

“It’s a game of inches," Williams said. "Every chance you get to fill a gap or set the edge, it’s got to be meaningful. I take pride in tackling. I can do it all.”

When the call finally came, Williams said the moment felt "surreal."

“The coaching staff, the GMs, the owner — they all got on the phone and said they were excited for me," Williams said. "They traded up to get me, so that’s how I know they wanted me. I'm just blessed to be a Chief.”

Kansas City is betting on Williams’ instincts for making impact plays to become an integral part of the secondary in the years to come. And the Chiefs might just see the return on their investment sooner than later.