NFL Draft Daily Dish: Packers rookie Evan Williams emerging as a top NFL safety

Week 7 of the NFL season features two compelling storylines that have fans and analysts buzzing. Green Bay Packers rookie safety Evan Williams has quickly made a name for himself, emerging as one of the top defensive players in the league with standout performances in coverage and key plays that have secured victories for the Packers. Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers welcome back wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, whose remarkable return to the field after surviving a life-threatening robbery is nothing short of inspirational. Both players are set to make a major impact this week, adding intrigue to an already exciting slate of games.

Evan Williams shines

One of the marquee matchups in Week 7 features the 4-2 Green Bay Packers squaring off against the 5-1 Houston Texans. A key rookie to keep an eye on is Packers safety Evan Williams, who has been exceptional in his limited action this season.

Williams has been a standout in coverage, allowing just five completions all season while posting a remarkable 90.5 Pro Football Focus coverage grade—the best among all NFL safeties. His dominance doesn’t stop there; he also holds the highest overall grade at his position. Not only has he been instrumental in shutting down opposing passing attacks, but he’s also been making critical plays. In his most recent game against the Arizona Cardinals, Williams sealed the victory with a game-ending interception, forced a fumble, and made a crucial third-down stop. This marked the second straight week he delivered a game-clinching play, following a pass breakup against Matthew Stafford in Week 5.

Williams’ impressive start is particularly notable considering many draft analysts saw him as a seventh-round prospect. While I graded him as a fourth-round talent and included him on NFL Draft Notebook’s All-Underrated Team, even those expectations have been exceeded for the fourth-round pick.

So, what’s behind his breakout season? One of his defining traits is his high football IQ. Coaches praise his ability to study the game, as he spends countless hours in the film room, mastering the nuances of NFL play. His intelligence extends beyond football as Princeton was among the schools recruiting the former St. Francis High School standout.

"He’s (Evan Williams) a very intelligent player, he’s a very intelligent person, I think one of the biggest things he’s done to put himself in the situation that he’s in now and having a bigger role is he’s starting to learn how to study the game more and he’s starting to understand how serious you need to take it."

- Green Bay DC Jeff Hafley

Another asset is Williams’ versatility. Along with being a top-tier coverage safety, he’s proven his toughness in run support. Although the Packers haven’t used him much as a blitzer this season, he’s a capable pass rusher, having led all Pac-12 defensive backs with 4.5 sacks last year.

The big question moving forward is whether Williams can maintain this elite level of play. If he can, expect him to see increased playing time, with a chance to secure a starting role by season’s end.

Ricky Pearsall to make debut 

One of the most anticipated stories for Week 7 is the upcoming debut of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who will make his return against the Kansas City Chiefs. Pearsall's journey back to the field is nothing short of miraculous, as he nearly lost his life after being shot in the chest during a robbery on August 31st.

Earlier this week, Pearsall returned to practice, and by all accounts, he's looking sharp. Head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed his excitement, saying, "He's had a hell of a week, and we're pumped to get him out there." Quarterback Brock Purdy echoed those sentiments, noting how exciting it is to have a player of Pearsall’s caliber back, especially one who excels at consistently getting open.

As for the type of receiver Pearsall is, it’s easy to see why Purdy is enthusiastic. Known for his speed, Pearsall clocked a 4.41-second 40-yard dash during his time at Florida. His quickness is a big reason he averaged nearly 15 yards per catch last season. In addition to his speed, Pearsall boasts reliable hands, with only three drops on 147 targets over the past two seasons.

In terms of his role, Pearsall could slot in as the team’s third or fourth wide receiver, especially with Jauan Jennings sidelined due to a hip injury. Even if his impact against the Chiefs is limited, it’s an inspiring story to see Pearsall back in action, with his contributions expected to grow as he gets more comfortable with the NFL pace.