Nohl Williams emerging as Kansas City Chiefs’ top cornerback and 5 more takeaways from Day 2 of training camp in St. Joe
The Kansas City Chiefs continued with their second training camp practice in St. Joseph, Missouri, on Thursday. Nohl Williams was a clear standout, emerging as the team’s top cornerback.
The Kansas City Chiefs were back at practice for Day 2 of training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri on Thursday.
The team practiced outdoors despite some rainshowers in the area. Fans nearly weren’t allowed into practice due to guidelines surrounding lightning. They were told to return to their cars before practice, but were let in before the meat of practice got underway.
Omarr Norman-Lott remains the only player absent from practice at this time. He continues to work in the training tent while he’s on the Active/PUP list. The roster is still down two players with Ethan Downs and John Michael Gyllenborg on injured reserve.
What else did we learn during practice on Thursday?
Nohl Williams is emerging as the Chiefs’ top cornerback
It’s becoming increasingly apparent that second-year CB Nohl Williams is CB1 on this team. He’s the lone cornerback who has been fixed with the first-team defense. He made a number of plays over the past two practice sessions, but two stood out most on Thursday.
During 7-on-7, Williams baited a throw from Mahomes targeting Tyquan Thornton in the left corner of the end zone. He was in a cloud zone coverage, and just jumped in front of the ball in the end zone for an interception. On a deep ball during 11-on-11 team drills, Williams trailed Xavier Worthy deep down the left sideline. It was a close call, but Worthy ultimately couldn’t keep his feet in bounds because of the tight contested coverage from Williams.
Kahlil Benson is your right tackle on Day 2 of Kansas City Chiefs training camp
After Jaylon Moore got the start at right tackle on Day 1 of training camp, it was UDFA rookie Kahlil Benson in there with the starters on Day 2. Chiefs C Creed Humphrey spoke about Benson after practice.
“Yeah, really hard worker,” Humphrey said. “You know, he’s a he’s a very hard worker. You know, you can tell it’s important to him. So, he shows up every meeting, every walkthrough, every lift, everything with the right mindset, and really strong player. You know, just from a physical standpoint, his punching power, things like that. I mean, he’s he’s really strong and and really technical, too. So, we’re excited about him.”
We might not have a good idea about the direction of this battle until the pads come on, but it’s clear that there is actually a battle going on here. We’ll see if Esa Pole gets in on it at any point during training camp. Right now, they’re just looking for the right piece to round out an offensive line that is otherwise solid.
R Mason Thomas is flashing opposite George Karlaftis
George Karlaftis might not have had a single win on Thursday, which says more about Josh Simmons than it does Karlaftis. That said, it made for some really flashy moments for rookie DE R Mason Thomas opposite Karlaftis. He had one particular repetition against Kahlil Benson, where he was able to bend the corner and get by Benson.
On a live repetition he might have gotten to Mahomes’ throwing arm before he could get the pass off. Chiefs fans haven’t seen a player with that much speed, quickness, and bend at the edge rusher position since Dee Ford. Steve Spagnuolo isn’t counting his chickens before they hatch, though.
“Listen, R Mason (Thomas) has done some really good things, but he’s in the rookie process,” Spagnuolo said after practice.
Chamarri Conner is having a great camp at safety
Chiefs fourth-year DB Chamarri Conner is having a great training camp through two practice sessions. He picked off a fake field goal during the team’s first practice session on Wednesday. He forced a fumble against Jalen Royals during the same practice sessiion. He followed it up with an interception on a pass deflection on Thursday.
The big difference for Conner? He’s finally playing safety and not the nickel corner spot.
“If you’ve watched OTAs, he hasn’t played as much nickel,” Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo said of Conner. “He’s played more safety, but that’s really to get some of the other guys ready. I think we can always put him back there in a pinch, but this gives him a little bit more time deep that he didn’t have last year. So I think he’s going to still. Well, I think we’ll still have some flexibility with him at both positions.”
Perhaps this is another contract year is undefeated type of moment for a Chiefs player.
A much better day for Chiefs wide receivers
Day 1 was a forgettable practice for the Chiefs’ receiver room. Day 2 was an entirely different story. Patrick Mahomes connected with Xavier Worthy, who beat Kader Kohou in man coverage for a deep touchdown. Tyquan Thornton and Jalen Royals both caught passes from Mahomes during 11-on-11 team drills. Cyrus Allen stacked good days.
Perhaps the most intriguing development is WR Andrew Armstrong. He had a strong OTAs and mandatory minicamp. He got repetitions with the first-team offense during team drills with Rashee Rice still ramping up his workload. He had a very strong catch down the sideline during 7-on-7 drills, per team reporter Matt McMullen.
Under-center continues to be an emphasis for the Kansas City Chiefs offense
It’s apparent through two practice sessions that there’s a greater emphasis on the under-center running game than in year’s past. That should be the case with the Chiefs investing in a dynamic and elusive runner in Kenneth Walker III this offseason. Creed Humphrey was asked about the under-center work they’ve done so far after practice.
“Yeah, you know, under-center stuff’s fun,” Humphrey said. “So, when we get the chance to do it, you know, I have a lot of fun with it. So, we’re excited about what we’re doing right now, and we’re excited about where this offense is headed.”