Trent Williams, the San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle once ranked as the best at his position by Pro Football Focus (PFF) heading into the 2024 NFL season, has dropped to No. 4 in the latest rankings before 2025. This change follows an injury-marred year that limited his playing time and performance evaluations.
Latest Rankings Place Williams Behind Top Tackles
PFF analyst Zoltán Buday recently released his list of the top 32 offensive tackles for the upcoming season. Williams now ranks behind Jordan Mailata of the Philadelphia Eagles, Tristan Wirfs of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Rashawn Slater of the Los Angeles Chargers. Despite the drop, Williams’ grade remains impressive compared to the rest of the league.
Williams, who turns 37 in August, had a down year in 2024 and missed significant time due to injury,
Buday noted.
He still earned an 85.6 PFF overall grade, which ranked seventh among offensive tackles. That’s a high mark for the rest of the league, but Williams had earned a 90.0-plus PFF overall grade in each of the previous four seasons, and ranked first in three of four.
Williams’ Consistent Elite Performance Before 2024
Since joining the 49ers in 2020, Williams consistently ranked among the NFL’s top offensive linemen, routinely scoring PFF grades above 91.7. His last subpar year came in 2018 with Washington, when he received a 75.6 grade, but prior to the recent injury issues, he was widely considered the gold standard for his position.
Uncertainty Surrounds Williams’ Future and Team Depth
With the 2025 season approaching, questions arise about how many more peak years Williams can deliver, considering his age and injury history. The 49ers opted not to draft an offensive tackle in 2025 despite the acknowledged need to develop a future replacement, leaving the team without a clear successor. Williams attended the team’s offseason program start in April, but has been absent in recent weeks.
General manager John Lynch stressed that offseason participation is voluntary and expressed confidence in Williams’ readiness.
He’s been here periodically, Lynch said during a recent radio interview. Trent knows how to get ready for a season. Again, Trent had a season marred and inhibited by injuries last year, and Trent is very prideful about, not just playing, but playing the type of quality football that he’s accustomed to. He’s always told me that he’s not going to come out here and just be a guy.
And so, I’ve got a good feeling that Trent’s going to come out and have a really good season, provided he can stay healthy and all those things that every player has to go through. But Trent’s putting in the work and you’re always happy when he’s on your offensive line, when he’s on your team.
—John Lynch, 49ers General Manager
Williams Remains a Recognized Top Player When Healthy
Despite injury setbacks, Williams is still regarded as one of the NFL’s premier offensive linemen and a likely Hall of Fame candidate in the future. His skill and experience continue to set him apart at the tackle position.
He gets the benefit of the doubt here, and if he can stay healthy, he is still one of the best players at the position,
Buday concluded.
Implications for the 49ers’ 2025 Offensive Line
Williams’ ability to return to form will be crucial for San Francisco as the season nears, especially considering the absence of a new tackle prospect on the roster. The 49ers will likely rely heavily on his veteran presence and performance, making his health a significant factor in the team’s offensive success.