Helping Williams' cause was his ability to stay healthy this season—mostly. The All-Pro suffered a hamstring injury on the first offensive play against the Chicago Bears, putting his Week 18 status against the Seattle Seahawks in doubt. However, his body of work this year made him an easy choice for Barnwell.
Per Pro Football Focus, Williams earned a 91.5 offensive grade and a 92.8 run-blocking grade this season, his best mark in run blocking since 2021. The future Hall of Famer ranks as the NFL's third-highest graded offensive lineman.
"Williams' steady presence has been one of the reasons the 49ers have been able to survive despite all the injuries on offense this season," Barnwell wrote. "The Niners have had to play multiple starters at left guard next to him, and Williams spends more time on an island than most NFL tackles, but the 37-year-old still has the quickness and footwork to handle just about anybody in the league one-on-one."
Williams remains quarterback Brock Purdy's most reliable protector and anchors an offense that has surged recently, totaling 1,366 scrimmage yards over the past three games.
"There were only two moments when Williams looked a step slow this season," Barnwell continued, "and they were courtesy of superstars on the other side of the ball, via a Danielle Hunter spin move against the Texans and a Myles Garrett teleportation to the interior for a sack against the Browns."
The playoff-bound 49ers close out the regular season Saturday night at Levi's Stadium against the Seattle Seahawks—a high-stakes matchup that will decide the NFC West title and home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs.
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