Los Angeles Chargers: Jason Verrett vs. Trevor Williams

Playing history

In his first season with legitimate starting time (15 games started), Williams was regularly asked to cover the opposing team’s second receiver, something he did very well. As it currently stands, Pro Football Focus Edge has him as the 10th-highest rated corner, second on the roster to only Casey Hayward. That’s the problem: He’s second to Hayward. Williams was never given starting duties across the opposing team’s best receiver, and while he did outstanding in his role, it’s a mystery as to whether or not he can consistently cover a true No. 1.

Verrett, while spotty in terms of number of games played, has on multiple occasions shut down elite talent across from him. Here are a few notable performances that come to mind:

1. Antonio Brown, 2015: three catches, 45 yards
2. Alshon Jeffery, 2016: no catches (in four drives, before Verrett was injured)
3. Calvin Johnson, 2015: two catches, 39 yards

If you have a corner that has previously held Brown, Jeffery and Johnson to 84 total yards on five catches in three separate games, you have to start him right? Verrett clearly has had the talent and game experience to take on big names in big games, and eliminate them almost completely.

I understand that this is technically a fight for the No. 2 corner position, and that neither (barring injury) will be forced to blanket cover the other team’s best weapon in 2018 the entire game. But if I had to pick one player to get the job done against the best NFL talent, I’m rolling with the guy who once shut down Megatron.

Edge: Jason Verrett

Team chemistry

It took more time than hoped for Gus Bradley’s new defense to come together, but when it did, it was one of the most dominant units in the league. Part of that was chemistry; when you add players like Tre Boston, Desmond King, and eventually Williams to the secondary, patience is key. In 2017 alone, Verrett played 63 defensive snaps in Bradley’s scheme. By comparison, Williams had 1,006. The latter was there for all the end zone, picture-posing post-interception celebrations while the former cheered from the sideline.

I’m not saying that Verrett has no team chemistry, but rather that Williams has locked onto what Bradley needs from him on the field by simply being healthy and therefore having more natural game-day cohesion with the rest of the unit. As Verrett returns from injury, Williams is out there this offseason bonding with the old crew and new rookies alike. That goes a long way, especially in the fourth quarter needing to stop a team on third down and eight. Bradley and the defensive signal callers can trust Williams knows what he’s doing, and for that reason alone I have to give him the win here.

Edge: Trevor Williams

The decision

It’s a difficult one; on one hand, you have a former first round talent who has shown elite ability to shadow the greatest receivers in the NFL but can never stay healthy, and on the other is an ascending former UDFA who has shown to be dependable and incredibly effective shadowing No. 2 receivers.

Verrett is by far the more talented, and (possibly an unpopular opinion) was better when he played than Hayward. Williams has the trust of the team and has never missed a game due to injury, and was the most recent starter at the position and therefore should have first shot at the job. The coaches, though, have Verrett penciled in as the second corner when he returns from injury.

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Weighing everything, though I have to give the edge to Williams. Another old NFL “guideline” once said that you should never lose your job due to injury. But when the guy who filled in for you did exactly what was needed and exceeded all expectations, it’s hard not to give him the nod. Williams is an ascending player who could very well improve even further in his third year, proving to be more than a one-year wonder.