If it’s at all possible, as Trent Williams enters his mid-30s, he playing the best football of his career.
The former Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman had a 2021 for the ages, picking up his first All-Pro selection and ninth-straight Pro Bowl nod. He was the best offensive lineman in the NFL and a huge part of the San Francisco 49ers’ success in 2021, a team that reached the divisional round of the playoffs after beating the Dallas Cowboys in the wild-card round.
Williams has always been highly thought of since being taken fourth overall in the 2010 NFL draft, but it seems the move to San Francisco has unlocked another level of his ability as he prepares for his age 34 season.
Preparing to help the 49ers take another step in 2022, Williams was ranked No. 2 in Pro Football Focus’ 50 best players in the NFL right now.
Williams had a season for the ages in 2021, finishing with a 97.8 overall PFF grade on a scale that only goes up to 100. His run-blocking tape was an endless clinic of dominance, showcasing a peerless combination of technique, speed, agility, pure strength and power. We may never see that level of run-blocking dominance over a single season again. As a pass blocker, he allowed 16 pressures in 15 games. – Sam Monson, PFF
Williams comes in behind Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Donald’s received seven straight All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections and is one of three players to win the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year award three times. The other two are Lawrence Taylor and J.J. Watt.
For Williams to be No. 2 ahead of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams, and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes speaks to the incredible level of play that Trent Williams has achieved at this stage of his career.
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