The Seattle Seahawks made significant moves over the weekend, officially signing standout free agent center Connor Williams and trading former University of Washington center Nick Harris back to the Cleveland Browns. The announcement also included a swap of draft picks, with the Seahawks sending a 2026 seventh-round pick to Cleveland and receiving a 2026 sixth-round pick in return.
Connor Williams Joins the Seahawks
Connor Williams, a highly regarded center, signed a one-year deal with the Seahawks worth up to $6 million, according to reports. Williams, drafted in the second round in 2018, has proven himself as one of the top centers in the league over the past two seasons. Playing for the Miami Dolphins, he was ranked as Pro Football Focus’ fourth-best center in 2022 and second-best in 2023.
The 6-foot-5, 317-pound Williams initially played left guard during his four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys before transitioning to center with the Dolphins in 2022. Despite suffering a torn ACL last December, Williams has accumulated 77 starts over his six NFL seasons. He passed a physical with the Seahawks during a free agent visit last month, and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, expects him to be ready for Week 1 of the upcoming season.
Trade of Nick Harris
In a related move, the Seahawks have traded Nick Harris, a 2020 fifth-round pick by Cleveland, back to the Browns. Harris, who joined Seattle in March, was competing for the starting center position but faced stiff competition from 2023 fifth-round pick Olu Oluwatimi. With the arrival of Williams, Seattle opted to retain Oluwatimi, who has shown significant promise.
Harris, who spent his first four NFL seasons with Cleveland, has made just four starts since entering the league. In contrast, Oluwatimi, who won the Rimington Trophy and the Outland Trophy in 2022 as a graduate student at Michigan, is viewed as having greater upside. With Williams now in the fold, the Seahawks decided to trade Harris to make room for Oluwatimi’s development.
Preseason Insights
The Seahawks’ preseason opener against the Chargers provided additional context for these moves. Williams’ addition is expected to solidify the Seahawks’ offensive line and enhance their protection for quarterback Geno Smith. The trade of Harris also indicates Seattle’s confidence in Oluwatimi’s potential to step into a significant role.
Head coach Mike Macdonald had previously noted that Harris was pushing Oluwatimi for the starting job, but with Williams’ signing, Seattle clearly sees more value in developing Oluwatimi as a long-term solution at center.
Conclusion
The Seahawks’ strategic moves—signing Connor Williams and trading Nick Harris—reflect a clear intent to strengthen their offensive line and streamline their roster. With Williams’ experience and proven performance, Seattle aims to enhance their front line, while the trade of Harris opens up opportunities for younger talent like Oluwatimi. As the preseason progresses, these decisions will be crucial in shaping the Seahawks’ approach for the upcoming NFL season.
