Trent Williams is the best offensive lineman in the NFL, full stop. The 49ers sent a 2020 fifth-round pick and a 2021 third-round pick for the Washington offensive lineman, which is peanuts for the best in the game. PFF graded the 35-year-old with a 92.6 offensive grade, 92.6 run-blocking grade, and 84.3 pass-blocking grade while allowing zero sacks, four QB hits, 16 hurries, and 20 pressures on 561 pass-blocking snaps.
ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches, and scouts to help us rank the top 10 players in 11 different positions, from quarterback to cornerback and all positions in between. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN has released his offensive tackle rankings, and Williams remains at the top for the second straight season.
Executives praised the veteran for his level of play in year 13.
The back-to-back-to-back-to-back winner is playing like he’s 25, leading all tackles with a 95.8 pass block win rate in Year 13. “Does it all at a high level, still,” an NFL coordinator said. “Protection, run game, second-level stuff downfield — no weakness in his game, and I haven’t seen the skill set diminish.”Others wonder if Williams’ body will break down eventually due to age. “I thought he was playing hurt last year, and it affected his play a bit,” said an AFC exec, referring to Williams’ ankle injury in the second half of the season. “But that’s nit-picking. He’s still dominant.”
One voter even admitted that they picked a different No. 1 out of boredom because Williams is No. 1 every year. That’s where he remains… comfortably.
One voter pushed Williams down to number seven, which is just flat-out wrong. There can be a discussion about Penei Sewell of Detroit challenging Williams for the number one spot. Williams is still better than Sewell, but there is no way that there are six better linemen than Williams.
Sewell placed second on the list, followed by Houston’s Laremy Tunsil, Tampa Bay’s Tristan Wirfs, Philadelphia’s Lane Johnson, Minnesota’s Christian Darrisaw, Philadelphia’s Jordan Mailata, New York Giant Andrew Thomas, Rashawn Slater of the Chargers, and Ronnie Staley of Baltimore.
Time will tell how long Williams can continue to perform at the highest level. The 49ers have another number-one player at their position in the NFL to go along with Christian McCaffrey, Fred Warner, and arguably George Kittle.
