The Cardinals have spent their past two second-round picks on cornerbacks Max Melton and Will Johnson, and it makes sense that the team wants and needs them to play to such pedigree and become a major part of the defense.

The Cards also will play nickel a lot, allowing a third cornerback, opening up opportunity, and as coach Jonathan Gannon said Thursday, "we play a lot of packages here so guys kick in and out" as the right players -- including corners -- are used in particular spots.

"At the end of the day we will put the best 11 out there as it relates to everyone involved on defense," Gannon said.

That's where Garrett Williams comes in.

Williams is a standout nickel defensive back. That's where he will play when the Cardinals use three cornerbacks. But as Williams said recently, he was always an outside cornerback until he got to the NFL and it has been under defensive coordinator Nick Rallis where he has shifted to nickel and safety snaps.

And Gannon noted, "he's one of our better players" and, when the Cardinals have only two cornerbacks on the field, whether it is base or maybe the three-safety set including Rabbit Taylor-Demerson, Williams will get his work outside.

"I understand the first year why we (kept him inside) but the second year I thought we've got one of our better players coming out of the game in base," Gannon said. "Do we want him coming out of the game? That's a reason you see him playing more outside right now. Not that he'll play outside in all the groups because he's a really good nickel, but when does it fit us as it relates to him and the whole defense for him to play outside?"

The answer is more than before. Williams already played 76 percent of the defensive snaps last season. Expect that number to jump in 2025.