When the NFL introduced its inaugural Protector of the Year award, it felt tailor-made for players like Trent Williams - the kind of lineman who’s been setting the gold standard at left tackle for years. But when the finalists were announced, the San Francisco 49ers’ cornerstone was notably absent from the list.
Instead, the six names revealed on Wednesday included:
- Joe Thuney (Chicago Bears)
- Garrett Bolles (Denver Broncos)
- Quinn Meinerz (Denver Broncos)
- Aaron Brewer (Miami Dolphins)
- Creed Humphrey (Kansas City Chiefs)
- Penei Sewell (Detroit Lions)
For Williams, the most direct point of comparison is Bolles, since both man the blind side at left tackle. And when you dig into the numbers, Bolles had the statistical edge this season.
His blown block rate sat at 2.3%, compared to Williams’ 3.1%, and he surrendered two fewer sacks. That’s not insignificant when you're talking about the league’s best protectors.
Then there’s Penei Sewell, who’s been a model of consistency and dominance for Detroit. His blown-block rate was just 1.7%, and he gave up only two sacks all season while avoiding any stuffs in the run game - a clear sign of his two-way effectiveness. According to Sports Info Solutions’ Total Points Earned metric - which attempts to quantify overall impact - Bolles led the group with 38, Sewell followed with 36, and Williams came in at 26.
Now, offensive line play is never defined by stats alone. It's an art as much as it is a science - footwork, communication, recognition, and raw power don’t always show up in spreadsheets. But when the data we do have paints a clear picture, it’s tough to argue that Williams was overlooked.
Trent Williams is still one of the most respected and feared tackles in the league, and his resume speaks for itself. But in a year where other linemen simply outperformed him in key categories, the Protector of the Year finalists list reflects that reality.