You wanted some respect for Seattle Seahawks players? This should cheer you up… only temporarily.
Leonard Williams was brought over to Seattle from the New York Giants in the middle of the 2023 season. While the defense was one of the worst in the league in the final few weeks of the Pete Carroll era, ‘Big Cat’ was one of the few bright spots. Under Mike Macdonald, Williams has had two of the best seasons of his career, earning second-team All-Pro honors last season and consecutive Pro Bowl appearances.
As we approach the 2026 NFL season, the league has taken notice of Williams’ dominance. In ESPN’s annual survey of the league’s front office executives, coaches, and scouts, Williams ranked as the best interior defensive lineman. Yes, number one!
“He was the most important player on that Super Bowl team,” an NFL coordinator said. “He’s the total package.”
Williams recorded 7.0 sacks and a 38.0% run stop win rate on his way to second-team All-Pro honors. His versatility at 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds puts offensive linemen in a bind, no matter the position.
“You can line him up in front of the right tackle, the right guard, the center, the left guard, the left tackle — he can beat them all,” a veteran NFC defensive coach said. “He’s always had game-changing ability, and he’s putting it all together now. And those around him are making plays because of it too.”
Williams’ 120 run-stop wins when double-teamed over the past three seasons are tied for the most in the NFL. His 24 tackles on pass plays in 2025 were six more than any other interior linemen.
Last year, Williams was only sixth. His importance to Seattle’s defense did not go unnoticed, and when you consider he’s ranked above excellent contemporaries like Jeffery Simmons, Jalen Carter, Chris Jones, and Dexter Lawrence, you know he’s a truly special player who’s showing no signs of slowing down. Williams is entering the final year of his contract, and it sure would be nice for him to stay with the Seahawks a little while longer.
Now, with that said… Byron Murphy II didn’t crack the top 10. He did receive an honorable mention, which should mean he’s just on the outside looking in, with a veteran defensive coach saying, “He’s so explosive. Teams double him, and he can break through it.” Sounds like the push begins now for Murphy’s inclusion into next year’s rankings.
