Washington Redskins: Top 30 players in franchise history

The blind side blocker has slowly garnered a reputation as one of the most important positions on not just the offensive line, but on an entire offense. It’s the blind side blocker’s job to keep the help the quarterback do his job, and keep his sanity in tact. When the quarterback get hit from the blind side, it’s particularly devastating.

In this regard, the Redskins are lucky. They have Trent Williams.

If there was ever a sure thing coming out of the NFL Draft, Trent Williams was that. Williams locked down the opposition at Oklahoma, using his size, quickness, and length to neutralize any opposing rush. His combine results were insane; at 6-foot-5, 315 pounds, Williams ran a 4.88 40-yard dash and logged 23 bench reps. He probably could have played edge rusher if the Redskins wanted him to.

But Williams was drafted to be the ever-important blind side blocker, and the moment he stepped into Redskins Park, he became the team’s starter at left tackle. And for eight years, he’s manned that position, starting 106 of 107 games played.

Since 2012, Williams has earned six straight Pro Bowl berths, and he’s not even 30 years old yet. He not only has the respect of the Pro Bowl voters, but also the respect of his peers on the field. He’s a regular appearance on the NFL’s Top 100 Players, and this year, he fell in at No. 57.

Williams’ athleticism and toughness are unmatched in the NFL. He played the last half of 2017 on a knee in need of season-ending surgery, and if he comes back fully healthy in 2018, his recent Pro Bowl tear should only continue. Williams is the best left tackle in the NFL. Those kinds of players are remembered.