NFL analyst picks Pro Bowl DL as overrated player for the Seahawks

Early July is easily the slowest time of the year for NFL news. Not only are teams not practicing, but front offices are also not making any moves ahead of the start of training camp in a couple of weeks. So, fans have to make do with what we like to call rankings season - a dead time of the year when every conceivable bit of content has to be forcefully yanked out of the ether like a stubborn tooth. As a result, we get some real spicy takes.

For example, at least one NFL pundit believes that Desmond Ridder is going to be the next Seahawks franchise quarterback. Others believe 10-year veteran defensive lineman Leonard Williams is overrated. The latter take is courtesy of Anthony DiBona at Pro Football Network, who named one overrated player from each team in an article last week. Here's what he had to say about Big Cat.

"The Seattle Seahawks made a massive deal for Leonard Williams last season, sending two draft picks to the Giants for the former Pro Bowl defensive lineman. Not only did the Seahawks trade for Williams, but they also signed him to a three-year, $64.5 million contract this offseason. Williams is certainly a force along the DL interior, but it’s a wonder if he’s become overpaid and overrated. Last season, Williams recorded just 5.5 sacks, despite being rewarded like one of the NFL’s top interior pass rushers."

On the surface DiBona has a solid point - Williams' traditional numbers last season were not very impressive. Also, the trade to get him was not a great idea and the contract he signed is pretty large for an athlete who just turned 30 years old. Williams is also probably the best candidate if one was forced to name an overrated player on this team right now.

All that having been said, the details matter and they paint a much prettier picture.

To recap, Williams started the 2023 season with the Giants and didn't do much. In eight games in New York he only put up 1.5 sacks, five QB hits and one tackle for a loss. Williams' production jumped when he went to Seattle, though. In 10 games with the Seahawks he totaled four sacks, 11 QB hits and nine tackles for a loss. And all of that while being double-teamed frequently.

Truth is, Williams was arguably Seattle's MVP in the second half of the season - at the very least he was more consistent than any other defender and by far the team's best player on either side of the line of scrimmage.

Williams has a ton of competition at the interior position - he may not even be the best one on his team now that Byron Murphy II has arrived. However, to call him overrated is off the mark. With a better defensive playcaller and more help inside, Williams might be poised for a late-career breakout 2024 season.