Steve

Williams

Williams started every game the last two seasons for Cal, but he was a surprising early draft entrant following his junior season. He’s not an imposing corner, but Williams isn’t afraid to mix it up with receivers. Williams could see significant snaps as the Chargers’ nickel back in year one.

Williams (5-foot-8 7/8, 181) is a tiny cornerback, but he made teams take notice when he posted a 4.42 forty, 40.5-inch vertical, and 10-foot-8 broad jump at the Combine. The Chargers don’t have much at corner behind Derek Cox, so it’s entirely possible that Williams could see meaningful snaps as a rookie.

Williams (5-foot-8 7/8, 181) was a surprise early entrant into the draft, but made a name for himself at the Combine with a 4.42 forty and blazing 1.48 ten-yard split. He posted a 40.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-8 broad jump. Williams started 28 games at Cal, earning team Defensive MVP honors in 2012 and logging six career interceptions. Ultimately, he’s an undersized outside corner who’ll have to make his NFL mark on special teams. He joins WR Keenan Allen as the second Cal player taken by the Chargers in this draft.

Williams was a fifth-round pick out of Cal this past April. He was showing well before getting injured and will return to compete for a job in 2014.

San Diego is one of the shallowest teams in football at cornerback, so this is an under-the-radar loss. A fifth-round pick out of Cal, Williams was having a solid camp and slated to make the roster as the Bolts’ No. 4 corner. That job will likely now come down to Marcus Cromartie and Greg Gatson.

Williams was the 145th pick in last April’s draft but missed his entire rookie season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle in the preseason. He was slated to assume nickel duties before the injury. At 5-foot-9, 181, Williams may be limited to covering the slot. Incumbent RCB Richard Marshall is a free agent. 2013 free-agent bust Derek Cox is a strong candidate for release.

It’s a mild surprise, as Williams had already made two starts for the Bolts’ banged up cornerback corps. He wasn’t good, of course, and was torched relentlessly by the Titans on Sunday. A fourth-year pro, Williams has made 31 career appearances.

Williams has been out of the league since getting waived from the Chargers in Week 9. He gives the Rams depth after releasing Troy Hill.

Williams was having an impressive training camp as a rookie after being the 145th overall pick in last year’s draft but suffered a torn pectoral in the preseason and missed the year. At 5-foot-9 and 181 pounds, he’s probably limited to slot duties. The Chargers will look for an outside corner next week in the draft.