The interception was a gift, the result of a smart play by safety Adrian Amos in the end zone during the Green Bay Packers’ 24-16 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
Veteran cornerback Tramon Williams was in the right place at the right time. He made the diving interception behind Amos, taking points off the board and giving the Packers an NFL-leading fourth pick in the end zone this season.
Williams, now 36, has been in the right place at the right time all season.
Quietly, Williams is having a strong and steady year. He not only has the highest overall grade at Pro Football Focus among Packers cornerbacks, but he’s allowed a passer rating against his coverage of only 67.3, according to Pro Football Reference.
Williams’ interception was his first during the 2019 season and his first for the Packers since the 2014 season.
Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine plugged Williams in as the slot cornerback over the summer, figuring his football intelligence and experience would give the Packers a smart, savvy player to handle coverage duties from the inside.
For long stretches in 2019, slot receivers have done little against the Packers defense.
Williams is a big reason why. He’s played 74 percent of the defense’s snaps while allowing Jaire Alexander and Kevin King to handle responsibilities on the perimeter.
How good has Williams been? The Packers view Josh Jackson’s best position at slot cornerback, but the 2018 second-round pick hasn’t been active last two weeks because Williams is fully entrenched in the nickel.
While Alexander and King have the flashy numbers, and Amos and rookie Darnell Savage have salvaged the safety position, Williams’ steady presence shouldn’t be overlooked. Even at 36, he’s thrived as the Packers’ slot cornerback through the first 10 games.
