Leonard Williams is added to the team and what does the media think of the trade?
On Wednesday, Seattle officially added Leonard Williams to the team. He will be wearing number 99 for the Seahawks. Williams, of course, was part of a huge trade Seattle made on Monday. In return for the veteran defensive lineman, Seattle sent a 2024 second-round choice and a 2025 fifth-round pick to the New York Giants.
Williams gives Seattle another massive presence along its defensive line and his addition will help Seattle keep players like Jarran Reed and Dre'Mont Jones fresher for the rest of the year. Not that Williams isn't good himself. He's made a Pro Bowl and had 11.5 sacks in 2020. He's versatile as he can play any spot along the line and he is good against the run and will supply an interior pass rush.
So while many 12s seem to like the trade for Williams, what does the national media think? Well, while no one hates the trade, not many absolutely love the move either. For instance, the Bleacher Report's Maurice Moton wrote, "The Seahawks can only hope Williams provides a boost to their middling 21.1 percent pressure rate, which ranks 15th leaguewide. They gave up a premium pick for a player at a non-premium position, but the move makes sense."
Meanwhile, the Athletic's (subscription required) Jeff Howe likes the trade a bit more as he wrote, "The Seahawks are young, athletic and talented on the back end of their defense. By putting Williams up front with Dre’Mont Jones and Jarran Reed, they should help Boye Mafe and Clark get after the quarterback with defensive backs Devon Witherspoon, Tariq Woolen and Jamal Adams attacking the ball."
Of course, Williams could also be rejuvenated after going from a team going nowhere to a Seahawks team potentially making the playoffs. That's the hope anyway.