The Kansas City Chiefs and Tennessee Titans have already shaken hands on one trade involving a cornerback in the last couple of years. However, looking at where the Titans' defense stands now, it might make sense for Kansas City to offer a bit further help in the secondary in 2025.
As the preseason drags on, teams are going to make difficult roster decisions, which will include tough admissions about when outside help is needed due to a positional deficit. The Titans are undoubtedly feeling the crunch at corner.
Per ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler, the Titans are a popular pick to add some outside help at a couple of positions entering the year, including at cornerback. That's where the Kansas City Chiefs might be able to help with some internal connections: Joshua Williams.
Joshua Williams could be available
After the Titans hired former Chiefs exec Mike Borgonzi to be their new general manager, it makes sense that some familiar faces might appear in Tennessee in forthcoming seasons to extend their careers.
Williams is an interesting piece for the Chiefs, a former fourth-round choice filled with exciting potential who has falled out of favor coming into his contract season in K.C. Instead of looking forward to a career-defining year shortly before hitting free agency, Williams might be on the outside looking in given the level of competition in Kansas City.
Trent McDuffie, Kristian Fulton, and Jaylen Watson are the top trio in Kansas City. From there, the coaching staff has a clear affinity for Nazeeh Johnson, Chris Roland-Wallace, and Chamarri Conner (also a safety). But the Chiefs also drafted Nohl Williams and spoke highly of new addition Kevin Knowles.
In training camp, it seems fairly obvious that Williams' stock is falling when looking at reps and the positive buzz around other players.
The Sneed-sized problem in Tennessee
At the present time, the Titans are in a (frustrating) waiting game with L'Jarius Sneed to see if he can return from a quad injury and ongoing knee issues to play in Week 1. If so (and he's healthy), Sneed is capable of elevating the entire unit and easing the burden on the rest of the defense.
That said, Sneed played five games in his first season after being traded to Tennessee by Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach. He's also been injured for the entirety of the Titans offseason and preseason so far.
What this means is that the Titans have a need for some external support, and Williams could not only be a familiar face to Borzongi but also a change-of-scenery play hoping to move in on a late bloomer in Williams.
Roger McCreary will man the slot in Tennessee with Sneed and Jarvis Brownlee Jr. outside. Darrell Baker Jr. is also there, but then there's a steep drop in experience and reliability. That paints a need before even thinking about Sneed's injury history and projections.
A trade for Joshua Williams?
Borgonzi knows how highly draft analysts spoke of Joshua Williams in the 2022 NFL Draft. Even after taking Trent McDuffie in the first round, he was part of the front office that decided to take Williams early on Day 3 in order secure the Fayetteville State product.
Williams has proven to be incredibly reliable in his NFL career by playing in every single game but one in his first three seasons in the NFL. Williams also comes with extensive Super Bowl experience, giving him perspective for a young locker room in Tennessee. And of course, there's the pro potential anchored by elite acceleration and length.
The Titans would never expect Williams to come in and start outside, but in the wake of Sneed's uncertainty and the unit's lack of depth, a move for Williams makes a lot of sense between parties who know each other well. It also stands to reason that Williams likely wouldn't cost the Titans too much in terms of compensation, knowing the corner seems on the outs in K.C.
Trade idea: Joshua Williams to the Titans for a 2027 sixth-round choice.