The Seattle Seahawks may have fallen short of a Super Bowl run this season, but there’s no denying the individual talent that powered them through a competitive NFC slate. That talent was recognized in a big way this week, as seven Seahawks earned postseason honors from the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)-a nod to the team’s balanced excellence across offense, defense, and special teams.
Let’s break it down.
All-NFL Honors: Smith-Njigba and Williams Lead the Way
Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and defensive tackle Leonard Williams were named to the PFWA All-NFL Team, making Seattle one of just four teams to have players selected on both sides of the ball. That’s not just a feather in the cap-it’s a testament to the Seahawks’ roster depth and star power.
Smith-Njigba, in his third year, didn’t just have a breakout season-he rewrote the Seahawks’ record books. With 119 catches for a league-leading 1,793 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, JSN became the engine of Seattle’s passing attack.
His route-running was crisp, his hands were reliable, and his ability to create separation made him a nightmare for opposing secondaries. Those numbers?
They’re not just big-they’re historic for this franchise.
On the other side of the ball, Leonard Williams continued to be a force in the trenches. Sharing the team lead with seven sacks, Williams also racked up 62 tackles and nine tackles for loss.
But what jumps off the page is his 58 quarterback pressures-fourth among all interior defensive linemen, according to Pro Football Focus. That kind of disruption doesn’t always show up in the box score, but it changes games.
Williams was a problem for offensive lines all season long, and his All-NFL nod reflects that impact.
All-NFC Team: Star Power Across the Field
Smith-Njigba and Williams weren’t the only Seahawks to get love from the PFWA. Cornerback Devon Witherspoon, punter Michael Dickson, and return specialist Rashid Shaheed were all named to the All-NFC Team, giving Seattle five total selections-most in the conference.
Even more impressive? They were the only team to have players honored on offense, defense, and special teams.
Witherspoon, despite being limited to 12 games, made his presence felt every time he stepped on the field. The third-year corner posted 72 tackles, seven passes defended, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and half a sack.
But beyond the stats, he was the top-graded corner in the league by PFF-a clear indicator of just how sticky he was in coverage and how physical he played in run support. When healthy, Witherspoon is as close to a shutdown corner as it gets.
Dickson, now in his eighth season, continued to be one of the league’s most consistent punters. He averaged 49.0 yards per punt (tied for sixth in the NFL) and 42.2 net yards (13th).
What really stands out is his precision-20 of his 52 punts landed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, with only three touchbacks. Field position matters, and Dickson remains one of the best in the game at flipping it.
As for Shaheed, the midseason trade acquisition from New Orleans turned out to be a game-changer. In just nine regular-season games with Seattle, he returned both a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns.
His averages-14.7 yards per punt return and 29.8 yards per kick return-ranked top five in the league. And if there were any doubts about his impact, he erased them with a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown in Seattle’s playoff win over San Francisco.
Talk about instant impact.
All-Rookie Team: Zabel and Emmanwori Shine Early
The Seahawks’ rookie class also made waves. Left guard Grey Zabel and safety Nick Emmanwori were named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team, making Seattle one of six teams with multiple selections-and one of just two (alongside Tampa Bay) to have rookies honored on both offense and defense.
Zabel, the first-round pick, started all 17 games at left guard and was a cornerstone of Seattle’s improved offensive line. According to ESPN, he led the league with an 83% run-block win rate-a stat that speaks volumes about his ability to move defenders and open lanes.
He also allowed just 24 pressures and two sacks all season, per PFF. For a rookie in the trenches, that’s elite-level performance.
On the defensive side, Emmanwori was everywhere. The second-round safety finished third on the team with 81 tackles, while adding 11 passes defended, nine tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and an interception.
His 18 quarterback pressures nearly doubled the next-highest total among rookie defensive backs. In other words, he wasn’t just playing fast-he was playing fearless.
Whether flying off the edge to block a field goal or dropping into coverage, Emmanwori looked like a veteran from day one.
A Bright Future in Seattle
Seven postseason honors across three phases of the game isn’t just a nice headline-it’s a statement. The Seahawks are building something real. With young stars like Smith-Njigba, Witherspoon, Zabel, and Emmanwori already producing at a high level, and veterans like Williams, Dickson, and Shaheed continuing to deliver, the foundation is strong.
Seattle may not have made the deepest playoff run this time around, but the individual accolades tell a bigger story: this is a team with talent, balance, and staying power. And if this season was any indication, the Seahawks are just getting started.