Chiefs’ Fragile Cornerback Situation Could Force Trade of Valuable Asset Joshua Williams

The Kansas City Chiefs' decision to trade away wide receiver Skyy Moore before the third and final preseason game was general manager Brett Veach's way of getting ahead of the frenzy. Active roster cuts will bring hundreds of names to the waiver wire (and free agency), which means 32 teams shopping for useful parts.

The Chiefs knew they weren't going to keep Moore on the roster, so they were at least able to add future draft considerations. Veach is likely wanting to get as much as he can for expiring assets on the roster, and the next man up for such a transaction feels like cornerback Joshua Williams.

The complicating factor is that while Williams might draw some trade interest from multiple NFL franchises, the Chiefs only have the freedom to part with the fourth-year cornerback on paper.

As the Chiefs prepare for their third and final preseason game, a home affair against the Chicago Bears at Arrowhead, they're dealing with serious injury concerns at cornerback. Those health concerns keep Kansas City from looking as deep as they could be at the position, which downgrades Williams from luxury to potential necessity.

The Chiefs' secondary is in a precarious position late in the preseason.

Steve Spagnuolo is expected to rely heavily on Kristian Fulton as a starting corner outside. Unfortunately the free-agent signee hasn't been available for the entirety of training camp and the team's first two preseason games. Given that Fulton has a fairly extensive injury history, it feels irresponsible for the Chiefs to pretend it won't be an ongoing concern with their roster planning.

In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Chiefs selected Nohl Williams, a corner out of Cal, in the third round. The nation's leading ballhawks last season, Williams looks like a bright young corner with the exact physical profile that Spags loves in the secondary. While inexperienced, he could at least step in and learn on the fly while Fulton is out (if needed). However, he, too, has been in the team's concussion protocol.

It's worth mentioning that another starter, Jaylen Watson, missed time with a concussion already this preseason, and he missed several games in 2024 due to an ankle injury. Eric Scott is also on IR, and the Chiefs released Darius Rush with an injury settlement. Both players were fringe roster options, but injuries have taken their toll all over the deth chart.

Back to Williams. The former Fayetteville State prospect entered the NFL as a developmental project, but became an instant contributor on special teams and defense. While only 25 years old, he offers teams 50 games and 12 starts of experience with Super Bowl rings to show for his efforts. His length is a plus asset, and he'll be motivated to perform well in a contract season.

That sort of profile would earn Veach something in return for Williams if he feels comfortable trading him away. But the Chiefs are wondering just how much they can count on their in-house options late in the preseason.

If Friday's game yields a clean bill of health, and Fulton looks ready to go for Week 1, the next transaction from the Chiefs might be another trade. But everything feels uncertain in this 11th hour before active roster cuts are due.