The Seattle Seahawks' defense has shown great signs of progress in recent weeks, and they made a big-time move to build on those strides on Monday with a trade for defensive tackle Leonard Williams.

Per multiple reports, the Seahawks and New York Giants are finalizing a deal that will see Seattle send a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick to New York to acquire the former sixth overall pick.

Williams, a pro Bowler in 2016 with the New York Jets, has never managed to replicate the heights of his first full season with the Giants in 2020, which saw him record 11.5 sacks. However, he has performed well up front for a 2-6 Giants team this season, recording 22 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.

He now joins a Seahawks team that has won five of its last six games since losing the season opener. Seattle hasn't conceded more than 20 points since Week 3.

The Seahawks rank ninth in Expected Points Added per play on defense. Since Week 3, they are third in the same metric.

Part of their success has stemmed from being able to bring down the opposing quarterback. The Seahawks' 28 sacks rank fifth in the NFL, though their pressure rate of 21.1 percent is only good enough for 15th, according to Pro Football Reference. 

Williams should help the Seahawks improve their performance in the latter category, with their motivation to give up such significant draft capital tied to the Giants' willingness to take on most of $10 million left on the final year of his contract, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

Seattle is 5-2 in first place in the NFC West, the Seahawks' recent surge coinciding with a three-game losing streak from the San Francisco 49ers team they have leapfrogged in the division.

If Williams helps the Seahawks retain their surprising hold on first place in the division, Seattle won't have any concerns about the price paid to add another exciting piece to a suddenly ascending group.

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