It feels like the NFL’s Protector of the Year award was made for players like San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams. However, in the first year of the award, Williams is not listed among the finalists.
On Wednesday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler revealed the Protector of the Year award finalists:
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
In this instance, Williams competition was Bolles, since they both played left tackle. Statistically, Bolles had a lower blown block percentage at 2.3 compared to 3.1. He also allowed two fewer sacks.
If we look at the other tackle, Sewell also had better numbers, with a blown-block rate of 1.7 and allowing two sacks and zero stuffs as a run blocker. Referencing Sports Info Solutions stat “Total Points Earned,” Bolles had 38, Sewell had 36, while Williams had 26.
Of course, these aren’t the only ways to gauge line play, but when we are short on numbers at the position, it does not appear that Williams was snubbed.
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