placeholder image

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports


Pro Football Focus names K’Waun Williams as 49ers’ most underrated player

May 27, 2020 at 10:54 AM--


Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
The San Francisco 49ers' group of cornerbacks could look very different next season, with most of its members preparing to play on the final year of their current deals. One of those players is nickel corner K'Waun Williams.

Ben Linsey of Pro Football Focus this week named each NFL team's most underrated player, and Williams was his selection for the 49ers.

"Some guys are household names who don't get the kind of attention they deserve when discussing the league's best players," wrote Linsey. "Some are known by few nationally outside of their own fanbases. Some are undervalued even by their own fans. The common theme is that all 32 are deserving of more love and recognition for what they do."

Williams was among general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan's first signings upon joining the 49ers in 2017. He has racked up 150 tackles, nine for a loss, three interceptions, nine passes defensed, and three forced fumbles in three seasons with San Francisco.

Linsey wrote the following about Williams:

"Even as an undrafted rookie out of Pittsburgh, Williams showed early on that there was a place for him in the NFL in the slot. His 90.3 coverage grade during his 2014 rookie season on 350 defensive snaps speaks for itself. In his four seasons of action with both the Cleveland Browns and 49ers, Williams has remained a quality option inside. The only two qualifying cornerbacks with a better overall grade in the slot than Williams since 2014 are Chris Harris Jr. and Desmond King II. His play was an underrated component of San Francisco's success on defense in 2019, and he'll likely be a big reason for the team's continued success next season."

Veteran defender Richard Sherman, who knows a thing or two about cornerback play, praised Williams in November while lobbying to get his teammate's name on the Pro Bowl ballot. He was successful, by the way.

"He is just so dynamic in every phase," Sherman said of Williams. "If you just look at him and his pass-rushing ability on its own, it's outstanding. If you look at him in terms of just coverage ability, it's outstanding. If you look at him in terms run [support], it's outstanding.

"And so he just brings the complete package of playmaking ability, and I think that supersedes position. I think that his playmaking ability is what allows our defense to go ... But [Williams is] a huge playmaker for us, and that's what allows us to play the type of defense we do."

There's another name on the list that should be familiar to 49ers fans. It is Dolphins running back Matt Breida, who was traded from San Francisco to Miami in April.

Writes Linsey:

"[Breida] has some serious wheels, coming in as the NFL's fastest ball carrier during each of the last two seasons per Next Gen Stats. He also is one of just two qualifying running backs with over 40% of his rushing yardage coming on 15-plus yard runs in both 2018 and 2019. The committee approach in San Francisco and injuries have kept down his usage, but that doesn't make Breida any less of a big-play threat as both a runner and receiver."



Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News


placeholder image

ESPN names 49ers as best fit for Tre'Davious White

By David Bonilla
Mar 20

Following the initial flurry of free agency activity, ESPN's Bill Barnwell took a closer look at the remaining unsigned players, identifying ideal landing spots for each. Among the prospects, cornerback Tre'Davious White found himself connected with the San Francisco 49ers as a prime fit. The Buffalo Bills, who selected White with the No. 27 overall pick in 2017, released the cornerback on March 13. The 49ers would love to bolster the defensive backfield, finding a better option to pair on the outside with Charvarius Ward and allowing Deommodore Lenoir to find a permanent home in the


placeholder image

NFL Draft: 49ers meet with OT, DB, LB at Pro Days

By David Bonilla
Mar 19

The San Francisco 49ers recently attended UCLA's and Fresno State's Pro Days, aiming to bolster their roster with promising prospects. With an eye on the 2024 NFL Draft, the team may want to add to their defensive back and linebacker positions. The 49ers observed defensive back Alex Johnson's performance in Westwood. When asked about his interactions with NFL teams, Johnson revealed, "I'm on my way to talk with the Niners right now." UCLA defensive back Alex Johnson is meeting with the San Francisco 49ers after his Pro Day in Westwood.


placeholder image

49ers GM John Lynch attends Michigan Pro Day

By David Bonilla
Mar 22

As expected, Michigan's Pro Day has a significant NFL presence. The event features 18 draft-eligible players from the national champion's roster. Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy reports that San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch is among those in attendance. Lynch is one of nine general managers on hand to evaluate the draft hopefuls. PRO-DAY UPDATE: Only fitting that national champs @UMichFootball, with record 18 Combine invitees, have biggest NFL turnout for pro-day.Here's list of NFL attendees who'll


placeholder image

No Huddle Podcast: What Are The 49ers' Plans For The Future?

By Site Staff
Mar 19

(Episode 322) — Al Sacco and Brian Renick react to the Zach Wilson rumors, what the 49ers should look for in QB2, negative Al speaks up, how the offensive side of the ball is complete for now, replacing all of the superstars will be a challenge, why the 49ers need to draft well this year and next, and more. Note: This episode was recorded before news of Josh Dobbs' signing. The audio for the show is embedded above. Remember to subscribe! You can listen to the latest "No Huddle Podcast" episode above, from our dedicated podcast page, on


Latest

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone