Underappreciated Chargers: CB Trevor Williams

Many Chargers players get the praise they earn and deserve; some, though, are still underappreciated. The first player of focus: Trevor Williams.

The Chargers are fortunate to boast a bevy of high-profile starting talent on both offense and defense; however, among those starters are a number of players who excel in roles that may go unnoticed. Adrian Phillips, a player many fans believed to be underrated, ended up making the Pro-Bowl roster in 2018. Desmond King, another fan-favorite that many believed to be underappreciated, was listed as the No. 2 player on Pro Football Focus‘ 2018 corner rankings. There are a few Chargers on the roster who prove themselves to be better than they get credit for. This article will cover one of those players: CB Trevor Williams.

In 2017, Williams filled in for an injured Jason Verrett. He recorded two interceptions, 45 tackles, 14 run stops, and 13 passes defended. In this same season, Trevor Williams ranked fifth on Pro Football Focus’ play-makers list, and tenth on their corner rankings.

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Williams is underappreciated following an injury-riddled 2018 season. Last year, Chargers fans saw only one interception, with Williams often getting beat by his man. It appears as if that injury greatly hampered the second-year starter. If Williams can even get close to his 2017 self, many around the league will once regard him and Casey Hayward as one of the best duos in the NFL. After all, Williams and Hayward were the only CB tandem to both rank inside of PFF’s top 10 in 2017.

The depth is there for the Chargers, but they really showed that they lack that solid CB opposite of Hayward. King has mentioned this offseason that the Chargers coaching staff has given him reps at the outside corner spot, but King was the best slot defender in the game last season and should remain where he already excels.

If Williams can return to his 2017 form, the Chargers could potentially boast the top corner trio in the league. Add Derwin James and Nasir Adderley to that combination, and the team could truly have something special in the works this season.