GLENDALE — Garrett Williams isn’t the most talked-about name in Arizona’s secondary, but that may be about to change.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Entering his third year with the Arizona Cardinals, the 23-year-old cornerback has quietly turned into one of the most efficient slot defenders in the league — and the numbers prove it. According to Pro Football Focus analyst Jonathan Macri, Williams is the most underrated player on the Cardinals’ roster, and his advanced metrics paint the picture of a player on the rise.
Macri on Cardinals Williams:
“Williams operated as the Cardinals’ primary slot cornerback in 2024, delivering the second-best PFF coverage grade (83.7) among qualifying cornerbacks in the regular season. He is set to once again man the slot in 2025 after allowing just a 25.9% first-down-plus-touchdown rate in coverage there this past season — tied for the seventh-best mark among 114 qualifying slot cornerbacks.
“Williams also let up just 0.67 yards per coverage snap while working out of the slot, which was a top-five mark.”
Oct 27, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Garrett Williams (21) celebrates the win against the Miami Dolphins with fans at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Williams’ counting stats are just as impressive, with nine pass deflections (1st on the team), two interceptions and one force fumble in 11 starts. 2024 was Williams first year as a consistent piece of the Cardinals’ secondary, starting 11 games for head coach Jonathan Gannon.
Much of the criticism from last season was centered around Arizona’s lackluster pass rush. The 23-year-old cornerback’s rise in his sophomore season was a reason why the secondary didn’t get much flack because of Williams prowess in covering receiver’s in the slot.
Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon talks with the media at the Arizona Cardinals training center in Tempe on May 9,2025.
The Cardinals defense next year has all the tools to have an elite defense. The newest members of the roster will aid in that effort, but if Williams can continue his development, then nothing will be able to stop him from being a full-time starter in 2025.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
