Niner Noise
FanSided

Power ranking 49ers top 10 defenders in 2019 entering Week 7

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts to recovering a fumble during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts to recovering a fumble during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: K’Waun Williams #24 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns at Levi’s Stadium on October 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: K’Waun Williams #24 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns at Levi’s Stadium on October 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

. . . K'Waun Williams. 3. player. 42

The tendency for teams to go with more three-wide receiver sets this season has meant nickel cornerbacks are essentially starting positions in today’s pass-happy NFL.

Cornerback K’Waun Williams had a good year in 2018. Not outstanding, but good.

All that has changed in 2019, though.

Williams has just 13 tackles and two pass breakups, yes. But that’s where the traditional stats can be deceiving. His percentage of completions allowed in his direction is even better than Richard Sherman — currently at 50 percent through five games — and opponents’ quarterbacks have a rating of just 51.5 when targeting him.

Overall, Williams’ Pro Football Focus grade is 78.8. That ranks ninth among all eligible corners in the NFL entering Week 7.

While Jimmie Ward deserves a lot of credit, all one has to consider is how well Williams shut down Rams slot receiver Cooper Kupp for the majority of Week 6 in Los Angeles.

Kupp had just four receptions for 17 yards in the game, and Williams was a big reason why.