49ers vs. Rams: 5 players who need to step up in Week 6
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: Cornerback K’Waun Williams
The No. 3 player on this list, nickel cornerback K’Waun Williams, is on here not because he’s been underwhelming and needs to step up his game as a result.
Instead, he needs to keep doing whatever he’s doing. Especially in Week 6.
Interestingly enough, Pro Football Focus ranks Williams the No. 2 corner out of all qualifiers with an impressive 87.0 overall grade. Williams’ interception against the Browns, one of two this season, certainly helped increase that mark.
But the test will be an extreme one in Los Angeles.
Williams will frequently cover Rams slot receiver Cooper Kupp, whose 41 receptions ranks second among all NFL pass catchers this season, while his 505 receiving yards ranks fourth. While Rams quarterback Jared Goff has struggled this year, he hasn’t had any difficulty finding Kupp on a regular basis.
Like the 49ers, Rams head coach Sean McVay might lean a little more on the passing game, as running back Todd Gurley is dealing with a quad injury and might not play in Week 6.
That potentially makes Kupp even more potent a weapon for L.A., meaning Williams will need to be equal to the task.