How the new defensive lineman fits in with the Seahawks

At the NFL trade deadline, the Seattle Seahawks acquired veteran defensive tackle Leonard Williams from the New York Giants in exchange for two draft picks, which was a major move.

Williams, who made his Seahawks debut last week, will play his first home game on Sunday against the Washington Commanders. Former Seahawks players Michael Bumpus and Dave Wyman, along with Stacy Rost, joined The Huddle on Seattle Sports to discuss the trade’s aftermath and other topics.

Williams, who was also traded to the Giants by the Jets in 2019 at the trade deadline, remarked, “The first week was pretty hectic.” “I mean, I thought I knew what to expect because I’ve done trades before.”

Williams was selected by the New York Jets with the sixth overall pick in 2015 out of USC. He played for the Jets for four seasons before being traded to the Giants, another New York franchise.

“But since I didn’t have to move, a trade from the Jets to the Giants was kind of nothing,” he remarked. The last week and two weeks have been quite difficult for me because I’m still getting used to the time difference. And after that, I’m still living out of a suitcase and other belongings in my hotel room, but I believe I’ve finally found a place… and should be moved out tomorrow. I’m trying to get adjusted to the time change, but the fact that it gets dark at 4 o’clock out here is not helping.”

Tyler Lockett, Williams’ new wide receiver and licensed real estate agent, helped him secure that new position.

“I find it amazing that he pursues so many interests outside of football. Williams said, “I saw an opportunity to help a teammate out if I’m going to go through someone to get a house anyway, so when I found out that he was into that stuff, I took it as a sign.”

As he demonstrated on The Huddle, Williams, who is over 300 pounds and stands 6 feet 5 inches tall, is capable of doing a lot of things on the football field.

“I think I’m good in the run game just because I’m tall and long and I use my length to keep blockers away from me,” he remarked. When it’s time to shed, I can get guys off of me by getting extension, and that same length also aids me in the pass rush. I believe I can speed rush as well as do well in bull rushes and similar situations. Since I can play in any kind of system, I believe I have a good combination of attributes that help me play like along the whole defensive line, which has helped me throughout my career.

Williams has rarely been on a winning team in his career until joining the Seahawks. The Hawks are tied for first place in the NFC West going into this week at 5-3. Only one time in his career has Williams made it to the playoffs, and that was with the Giants the previous season.

Williams remarked, “Playing on a lot of losing teams has been tough.” “On all sides of the ball, this is one of the most complete teams I’ve played on in a long time,” I was saying to my girlfriend. Here, even the special teams appear to be very effective. And (being) later in my career, that’s something that I want before it’s all said and done is to play in the playoffs, play for the Super Bowl and possibly win one.”