The Seattle Seahawks made one of the biggest moves in the NFL ahead of the 2023 NFL Trade Deadline. They acquired defensive tackle Leonard Williams from the New York Giants in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 sixth-rounder.
It was a deal that many analysts thought highly of from the Giants’ perspective, who turned a player on an expiring deal into some excellent draft capital. After signing Dexter Lawrence to a massive contract extension, Williams’s time in New York was likely coming to an end after this season, so a trade made sense.
But, analysts don’t seem as fond of the deal from the Seahawks’ perspective. That expiring contract is a big reason why, as the Seahawks surrendered premium draft capital for what could be a half-season rental.
Despite saving a ton of money on his deal this year, as the Giants are paying nearly all of it, the uncertainty is one reason Brad Spielberger of PFF gave Seattle a below-average grade for the move. Williams has been playing at a high level, but there is risk involved in this deal.
“We assume Seattle is bringing in a much smaller salary than the $10 million remaining on Williams’ contract that expires after 2023, which in turn is how the Giants were able to recoup a second- and a fifth-round pick. Williams has been an improved pass-rusher over the past several seasons. His 77.2 pass-rush grade through Week 8 is a career high, and his 12.4% pass-rush win rate ranks 23rd among interior defenders.
As a run defender, Williams has earned grades of 67.9 or better in every full season of his NFL career, and he creates a strong tandem with free agent acquisition Dre’Mont Jones. After losing edge defender Uchenna Nwosu to a season-ending injury, Seattle has now added Frank Clark and Leonard Williams over the past few weeks. The current leaders in the NFC West are making their push.
Williams has already been franchise-tagged twice in his career, which effectively makes him untaggable this upcoming offseason. This provides Williams with maximum leverage over the Seahawks on a new deal unless they’re comfortable sending out a second- and a fifth-round pick for a half-season rental — not the most prudent investment. Williams’ three-year, $63 million extension with the Giants was one of the most player-friendly deals of the past several years, and he’s in line for another strong contract soon.”
There is also some concern about how impactful Williams can be without the presence of Lawrence next to him. Dre’Mont Jones isn’t a slouch by any means, but an argument can be made that Lawrence is the best interior defensive lineman in the NFL as the highest-graded IDL in the NFL.
But, it is hard to fault a team who is currently in first place in their division for making a big move. Williams and Frank Clark are nice upgrades for their defensive front and it helps the Seahawks keep pace with the San Francisco 49ers.
After winning their first five games of the season, the 49ers have lost three straight. They made a splash of their own to match the Seahawks, acquiring Chase Young from the Washington Commanders in exchange for a third-round compensatory pick.
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