The Seattle Seahawks have been in the news lately for their trade for New York Jets defensive lineman Leonard Williams. The move has been met with mixed reactions, with some wondering why the Seahawks didn’t pursue Ohio State’s Chase Young, widely considered to be the best defensive player in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Bob Condotta, the Seahawks beat writer for The Seattle Times, recently answered this question in an article. He explains that the Seahawks were simply looking for a different type of player than Young. They wanted a big body who could play both defensive end and defensive tackle, and Williams fit the bill.
Williams is a 6-foot-5, 302-pound defensive lineman who can play both inside and outside. He is a powerful run defender who can also get after the quarterback. He has recorded 16 sacks over his five-year career, and he was Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded interior defender in 2019.
The Seahawks also felt that Williams was a better fit for their team than Young. While Young is an elite pass rusher, the Seahawks already have a strong pass rush with Jadeveon Clowney and Ziggy Ansah. They needed a player who could help them against the run, and Williams was a perfect fit.
In addition, the Seahawks felt that Williams was a better value than Young. The Jets were willing to part with him for only a third-round pick and a fifth-round pick, while Young would have cost them multiple first-round picks.
Ultimately, the Seahawks felt that Williams was the right fit for their team. He is a powerful run defender who can also get after the quarterback, and he was a great value at the price they paid. While Young may have been the more exciting pick, the Seahawks felt that Williams was the right choice for them.
