Trent Williams, once heralded as Pro Football Focus' (PFF) top-ranked offensive tackle heading into the 2024 NFL season, has dropped in the latest rankings following an injury-plagued year. Previously dubbed the "gold standard at the position," the San Francisco 49ers' veteran lineman enters 2025 ranked No. 4 among offensive tackles.
PFF analyst Zoltán Buday unveiled the top 32 offensive tackles ahead of the upcoming season, with Williams trailing Jordan Mailata (Eagles), Tristan Wirfs (Buccaneers), and Rashawn Slater (Chargers).
"Williams, who turns 37 in August, had a down year in 2024 and missed significant time due to injury," Buday wrote. "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."
Since joining the 49ers in 2020, Williams has consistently graded as one of the league's elite. Prior to 2024, he posted PFF grades of 91.7 or higher each season. The last time he failed to eclipse that benchmark was in 2018 with Washington, when he earned a 75.6 grade.
As the 2025 season approaches, questions linger about how many high-level years remain for the aging star. Additionally, San Francisco failed to select an offensive tackle in the 2025 NFL Draft, despite it being a widely recognized need, leaving no clear successor on the roster.
Williams reported for the start of the 49ers' offseason program in April but has not been present in recent weeks. General manager John Lynch recently emphasized that participation is voluntary and expressed confidence in the veteran's preparation.
"He's been here periodically," Lynch said during a radio interview this week. "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."
When healthy, Williams is still widely regarded as one of the premier offensive linemen in the NFL and a future Hall of Famer.
"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.