GW #21

Garrett Williams

Cornerback · Syracuse

Garrett Williams announced himself with a rookie interception off Geno Smith, the first Cardinals debut pick since Hall of Famer Aeneas Williams in 1991, before injuries slowed his rise.

Garrett Williams is a cornerback for Arizona who arrived as a third-round pick out of Syracuse in 2023 despite recovering from a torn ACL. He's flashed real ball skills - four career interceptions including a pick-six of Clemson's Trevor Lawrence in college - but a torn Achilles cut short his 2025 season.

★ Led ACC in passes defended twice at Syracuse (2020, 2021)

★ Third-round pick, 2023 NFL Draft (No. 72 overall)

★ First Cardinals player with an interception in NFL debut since Aeneas Williams (1991)

★ 127 career tackles and 4 interceptions through 2025

Path to the league

Williams starred at Syracuse from 2019 to 2022, leading the ACC in passes defended as a redshirt freshman and again as a junior, and earning team captain honors as a senior. He finished with 152 tackles and four interceptions in 32 games, including a pick-six against Clemson's Trevor Lawrence. The Cardinals traded up to take him with the 72nd overall pick in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Career highlights

Williams made his NFL debut in Week 7 of 2023 after recovering from a college ACL tear, and picked off Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith in that first game, becoming the first Cardinals player with an interception in his debut since Hall of Famer Aeneas Williams in 1991. Across his first three seasons he posted 127 tackles, four interceptions and 16 passes defensed in 35 games.

2025 season recap

Williams started 10 games in 2025, adding an interception, five passes defensed, a forced fumble and 46 tackles before a torn Achilles tendon in Week 16 against Atlanta ended his season and landed him on injured reserve.