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The 49ers couldn’t have done better in replacing retired left tackle Joe Staley. That’s literally the case according to football analytics site Pro Football Focus. They have 49ers left tackle Trent Williams graded as the best offensive tackle in the NFL through nine weeks.
Here’s what the list looks like per PFF:
Trent Williams, SF, 89.8
Garrett Bolles, DEN, 89.6
David Bakhtiari, GB, 89.0
Andrew Whitworth, LAR, 86.3
Duane Brown, SEA, 85.6
Perhaps the most impressive part of Williams’ high grade is the fact he got there after an uncharacteristically slow start after the 49ers acquired him from Washington on Day 3 of the draft for a 2020 fifth-round pick and a 2021 third-round selection.
He missed all of the 2019 season due to a contract dispute and then a cancerous growth on his head that had to be removed, and his numbers in the early going reflected perhaps a little rust for the seven-time Pro Bowler.
Williams through five weeks allowed four sacks and eight pressures. The four sacks were more than he’d allowed in the previous three seasons combined, and were the most he’d allowed in a season since 2013. He’s been lights out since Week 5 though. In his last three contests he’s allowed neither a pressure nor sack.
Along with reaching elite levels as a pass blocker, he’s been outstanding in the run game as well where his athleticism is still apparent even at Age 32.
There were some signs early on that perhaps the 49ers may want to look elsewhere for an anchor of their offensive line beyond this season. Now Williams looks like the best left tackle in the game and should be a foundational piece of San Francisco’s offensive line for the foreseeable future.