Report: Colts Have Shown Interest in 49ers Free Agent Nickelback K’Waun Williams

According to The Athletic’s Matt Barrows, the Indianapolis Colts are among the teams that have expressed interest in San Francisco 49ers free agent cornerback K’Waun Wiilliams:

Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cleveland Browns in 2014, Williams has played the last four seasons for the 49ers defense.

This past season, Williams recorded 22 tackles (17 solo), 5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, 4 passes defensed, and a forced fumble during 8 games (4 starts).

Per PFF (subscription), Williams was tied for their 44th best cornerback overall in 2020, as he earned a +66.2 overall grade. For perspective, Colts veteran cornerback T.J. Carrie was ranked 37th (tied) best with a slightly higher +67.9 overall grade this past season.

At a listed 5’9”, 185 pounds, Williams would ideally serve as a nickelback and slot injury insurance for Colts standout Kenny Moore covering the inside.

Williams played 162 total coverage snaps in the slot this past season, allowing 16 receptions on 24 total targets for 129 receiving yards and an allowed NFL passer rating of 80.0.

Both Colts veteran starting cornerbacks Xavier Rhodes and T.J. Carrie are free agents, and it’s uncertain if either or both will be ultimately re-signed.

While signing Williams wouldn’t impact Rhodes returning either way, it could impact Carrie—who was initially signed last offseason largely as veteran insurance in the slot for Moore before assuming a more prominent role along the outside.

Right now, Williams appears to be purely a slot cornerback and would eat into such a role.

Even though there’s some bigger named cornerbacks still available on the free agent board, Williams is a ‘Tier 2’ cornerback to watch for the Colts going forward in free agency—during the ensuing ‘Waves 2 and 3’ of NFL free agency.