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The Kansas City Chiefs revealed some unfortunate news on October 14 ahead of their Week 6 matchup with the Buffalo Bills.
Both cornerback Rashad Fenton and safety Bryan Cook were downgraded to “out” and on top of that, rookie first-round CB Trent McDuffie is unlikely to suit up on Sunday. Arrowhead Pride reporter Pete Sweeney revealed the news, relaying later that “the Chiefs will indeed be playing two rookie cornerbacks against Bills quarterback Josh Allen… Fourth-rounder Joshua Williams [and] seventh-rounder Jaylen Watson.”
Joshua Williams Called Upon to Make Debut Start vs Bills
The trial-by-fire experience worked extremely well with Watson and Williams will attempt to rise to the occasion as his fellow first-year cornerback did versus the Los Angeles Chargers. The only problem is that the Fayetteville State prospect will be asked to do it against one of the most potent offenses in the NFL.
That’s asking a lot of not one, but two mid-to-late-round rookies.
“Special teams helped [Williams] with the speed of the game and the angles you need to take and all those things,” head coach Andy Reid told reporters. “Now it’s just a matter of getting in, playing, trusting your technique & fundamentals. He’s worked well this week.”
Charles Goldman of USA Today’s Chiefs Wire added that Williams “proved as much by replacing Fenton in Week 5 and going head-to-head with Raiders WR Davante Adams on the most important play of the game,” continuing: “This week, he’ll get a chance to prove he’s capable against the likes of Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis and Isaiah McKenzie.”
On the flip side, Arrowhead Pride analyst Mark Gunnels tackled a less confident Chiefs’ opinion that predicted Allen would “torch” the KC defense during his weekly segment: “Let’s Argue.”
“Well, this isn’t going out on a limb,” Gunnels admitted. “Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the league, but Josh Allen is right behind him… With Rashad Fenton, Bryan Cook and most likely Trent McDuffie all out, the Chiefs will be heavily relying on rookies Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams. It’s going to be a tall task.”
Williams has only logged 17 defensive snaps on the season according to Pro Football Focus. During that time, he’s registered 14 opportunities in coverage, allowing a lone two-yard reception off three targets. He also flashed as a potential draft “gem” early on in training camp.
So far so good, although Williams’ inexperience did rear its ugly head a few times during the preseason.
Mike Danna Highlighted as ‘Player to Watch’ vs Bills
During the same Chiefs Wire article where Goldman talked about Williams, he featured defensive end Mike Danna as his number-one player to watch against Buffalo.
“Danna hasn’t played a snap since Week 2 against the Chargers when he suffered a calf injury,” Goldman began, reasoning: “Entering Week 6 against the Bills, Danna still has the third-most pressures (8) of any defender in Kansas City. That shows you just how productive Danna was in the first two weeks of the season. He’s taken his game to a whole new level and they’re getting that back this week.”
It’s a great point from the KC media member. Danna has been a really underrated absence for this Chiefs’ defense over the past three games.
Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has gotten a ton of quarterback pressure out of Chris Jones in 2022 but the pass rush could be better off the edge. Rookie George Karlaftis leads all D-ends with 14 QB pressures on PFF and as Goldman mentioned, Danna had eight in two outings.
By comparison, veterans Frank Clark and Carlos Dunlap have only generated 17 pressures combined in five games — Clark has registered 10.
“The best way to help those [rookie cornerbacks] out will be the defense getting home against a Bills offensive line that has been inconsistent this season,” Goldman concluded. Yep, the pass rush will definitely be key in Week 6.
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