When the Green Bay Packers selected safety Evan Williams in the fourth round (111th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft, expectations were modest. But halfway through his rookie season, Williams had already shattered them, emerging as one of the league’s most impressive first-year players — and a dark horse Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate.
Williams began his collegiate career at Fresno State in 2019 before transferring to Oregon for his final season in 2023. His adaptability and football IQ stood out, making him a late-round steal for the Packers. Despite missing a few games due to hamstring and quadriceps injuries, Williams appeared in 12 regular-season games and Green Bay’s playoff matchup, starting six games in the regular season and one in the postseason.