Tramon Williams is excelling for the Green Bay Packers as the team’s primary slot cornerback to start the 2019 season.
Pro Football Focus recently ranked the top 25 cornerbacks in the NFL after five weeks. Williams came in at No. 11, just one spot below Jaire Alexander. So far, no cornerback has been more stingy allowing catches in the slot than Williams, who is averaging 28.5 coverage snaps per reception allowed from the slot, per PFF.
On Sunday in Dallas, Williams gave up a 40-yard touchdown pass to emerging second-year receiver Michael Gallup, who beat strong man-to-man coverage and made a terrific play with the ball in the air. Williams was playing on the outside after Kevin King exited the game.
Prior to the touchdown, the six completions allowed by Williams in 2019 gained only 39 yards.
Williams’ ability in the slot showed up earlier in the contest Sunday. Covering former Packers receiver Randall Cobb in the second half, Williams tracked the veteran’s out-breaking route and disrupted Dak Prescott’s throw at the catch point, causing an incompletion. Cobb caught three passes, but only one came with Williams in coverage.
The 36-year-old has been solid in the slot all season, using his combination of veteran instincts and still-intact athleticism to stifle receivers in the middle of the field.
Andy Herman, who grades every player on every play for Packer Report, has Williams ranked as the defense’s fifth highest-graded player and second highest-graded cornerback (trailing only Alexander) through five games. He’s earned positive grades in four of five games. His best grade of the season came Sunday in Dallas.
Williams has also blitzed six times in 2019, producing two pressures – including a quarterback hit. And he’s missed only one tackle attempt despite playing near the line of scrimmage.
The Packers are getting outstanding efforts from Alexander and Kevin King on the perimeter to start 2019. Just don’t forget about the savvy veteran quietly holding down the slot.