Leonard Williams’ first full season with the Seattle Seahawks was an eye-opener for those not familiar with his game.
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Williams wreaked havoc in the trenches game after game last year during a standout campaign, producing 64 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 11 sacks in 16 contests. The 310-pound defensive lineman even had a 92-yard interception return for touchdown.
LEONARD WILLIAMS 91-YARD PICK-6 🔥
📺: #SEAvsNYJ on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/8CECV6s1AL
— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2024
According to Pro Football Focus grading, Williams was the fourth-best interior defensive lineman in the league.
The standout season helped the USC product secure his second career Pro Bowl nod and finish 14th in AP Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Despite a costly roughing the passer call on San Francisco’s opening drive, the 31-year-old Williams continued to make his presence felt in Seattle’s season opener Sunday, totaling seven tackles, a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit. He was also tied for second on the team with three quarterback pressures, per PFF.
Even in a loss, Williams’ play caught the attention of NFL Network insider and former league scout Daniel Jeremiah.
“I’m watching that tape and you have a hard time telling me that there was a better football player in that game than (number) 99 for Seattle,” Jeremiah told Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk on Tuesday. “Just watching what he was doing to guys up front, Leonard Williams was pretty dominant.”
Jeremiah wasn’t the only national expert who came away impressed by Williams’ performance against the 49ers. Longtime analyst and former NFL offensive lineman Mark Schlereth highlighted Williams on Tuesday during a conversation with Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob, which included breaking down why Williams is so tough to stop from an offensive lineman’s perspective.
“Usually guys have one thing when you play against them, like there’s one thing you have to take away. Sometimes it’s power, sometimes it’s speed and athleticism, whatever it is,” Schlereth said. “But guys that can do multiple things – can beat you with speed, can beat you with power, can do those things – those dudes are problems because then you start to get into a little bit of a guessing game. … And ‘Big Cat’ certainly has that ability, man.
“He has got some unbelievable size, strength, leverage. He’s a good leverage player. Guys who have the long kind of levers and arms, it’s hard to get in their bodies sometimes. They can keep you at bay with their length. So, that is always bothersome because you want to turn it into a phone booth kind of holding match. He’s got that ability to do several different things that make him a real problem.”
For some more on how Williams stood out Sunday, check out this breakdown from NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger, another former offensive lineman.
Hear the full conversation with Daniel Jeremiah here and Mark Schlereth here. Listen to Brock and Salk weekdays from 6-10 a.m. and Wyman and Bob from 2 p.m.-7 p.m. Both podcasts are available on the Seattle Sports app.
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