Overview
- ESPN published its annual positional survey on July 9 that used votes from more than 70 NFL coaches, executives and scouts and placed Leonard Williams at No. 1 among defensive tackles.
- Voters pointed to Williams's 2025 numbers — seven sacks, 62 tackles, nine tackles for loss and 22 quarterback hits — plus a Pro Bowl nod and second-team All-Pro honor as the basis for the top ranking.
- Unidentified NFL coaches and a coordinator told ESPN that Williams was extremely difficult to block and one called him the Seahawks' most important player during the Super Bowl run.
- Tennessee's Jeffery Simmons finished at No. 2 in the poll after leading all defensive tackles with 11 sacks in 2025 and signing a three-year, $105.8 million extension, which has prompted some analysts to question the ordering.
- The ranking raises immediate roster and contract attention because Williams is entering the final year of his deal and notable peers such as Seahawks teammate Byron Murphy II received only an honorable mention and did not crack the top 10.