PFF predicts Trent Williams’ next contract with 49ers

It’s going to be a busy offseason for the San Francisco 49ers. The team could see multiple coaches and executives leave for other jobs, plus the Niners have 27 players who come become unrestricted free agents.

The biggest priority for general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan is to re-sign left tackle Trent Williams. The 32-year-old was the best offensive players for the 49ers in a injury-ravaged 2020 season.

Williams — who sat our all of 2019 due to a dispute with the Washington Football Team — regained his All Pro form with San Francisco. Pro Football Focus gave Williams a 91.9 grade last season, the highest of any tackle in the NFL.

It’s going to be a busy offseason for the San Francisco 49ers. The team could see multiple coaches and executives leave for other jobs, plus the Niners have 27 players who come become unrestricted free agents.

The biggest priority for general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan is to re-sign left tackle Trent Williams. The 32-year-old was the best offensive player for the 49ers in an injury-ravaged 2020 season.

Williams — who sat our all of 2019 due to a dispute with the Washington Football Team — regained his All-Pro form with San Francisco. Pro Football Focus gave Williams a 91.9-grade last season, the highest of any tackle in the NFL.

PFF ranked the top free-agent tackles, and it’s no surprise to see Williams top the list. PFF predicts the Niners will re-sign Williams to a four-year deal worth $80 million ($62.5 million guaranteed).

“Williams has basically never had a bad season in the NFL, with his rookie year being by far the lowest overall PFF grade he has posted (63.4). He hit at least a 75.6 mark in every other season, and 2020 is now the third time he’s led all offensive tackles in PFF grade (91.9). He has shown elite-level play in multiple schemes and now multiple cities, and he looks capable of being the next great left tackle to play well into their 30s at a high level.”

At an average of $20 million per season, Williams would be the third-highest paid offensive lineman in the league, behind David Bakhtiari of the Green Bay Packers and Laremy Tunsil of the Houston Texans.

Lynch did a fantastic job of acquiring Williams from Washington after San Francisco legend Joe Staley retired. Williams solidifies the left side of the line and should play at a high level for the duration of the proposed contract.

For his part, Williams hasn’t been shy about his desire to return to the 49ers, although he is open to other options.

“Honestly, it don’t matter to me. Regardless, San Francisco would be the lead candidate, so whether it’s now or whether it is in free agency, a team has to convince me it’s better there than it will be here. Even if it does make it to free agency, it won’t be because I’m trying to go somewhere else. It may simply (be) just because I may want to see my value.”

The Niners are projected to have roughly $22 million in cap space this offseason, meaning the franchise wouldn’t have a lot of room to sign other players.

Do you think PFF’s predicted contract is fair value for Williams?