It was with a great deal of interest that I noticed Leonard Williams had been voted the top defensive tackle in the NFL this week.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler followed up an exercise he did last year — polling league executives, coaches and scouts to rank the top-10 players at each position.

Williams came out on top. It might surprise some people — but it really shouldn’t.

We spent several weeks last season just basking in Williams’ brilliance. He is exactly the type of player that, for so long, we had to watch the Rams, 49ers and Cardinals possess. It always felt like the Seahawks were truly lacking a game-impacting interior presence. Williams filled the void.

“He was the most important player on that Super Bowl team” suggested one coordinator in Fowler’s poll. I think you can definitely make that case.

Players like Williams are rare. Elite size (6-5, 310lbs) with matching athleticism. He doesn’t carry bad weight and the frame and build are ideal. He has the twitch and quickness highlighted by a 4.97 40-yard dash at his combine — with the agility highlighted by a 4.53 short-shuttle.

There’s a reason why he was the #6 overall pick in 2015.

You then combine the physical profile with an exceptional attitude, work-ethic, determination and presence. He will get sacks through his own sheer brilliance — but he also creates major opportunities for others.

“You can line him up in front of the right tackle, the right guard, the center, the left guard, the left tackle — he can beat them all” said a veteran NFC defensive coach in Fowler’s piece. “He’s always had game-changing ability, and he’s putting it all together now. And those around him are making plays because of it too.”

I remember writing an article in 2014, noting how horrible the thought was of one day having to replace Marshawn Lynch — such was his impact in games. I feel exactly the same way about Leonard Williams now.

You only get these players by picking very early or by getting lucky. It’s preposterous that in his career he has been traded twice for as little as he has.

The Seahawks have clearly drafted another very talented defensive tackle in Byron Murphy. He’s a very different player though. They perfectly compliment each other, rather than one being the heir apparent for the other.

Williams is such a natural athlete that he can probably play for as long as he wishes. He turned 32 this year but he’s unlikely to hit any wall soon. It’s very easy to imagine him playing into his mid-30’s if he desires.

That raises an underrated talking point about his future. He has void years in his contract for 2027 and 2028. So this is his final season, at the moment.

The Seahawks will not be able to replace Williams. Getting him tied down to a new deal would be a wise move. It would be a gesture that could create a commitment between team and player that the end doesn’t have to be nigh. It would be a reassuring partnership that could be the catalyst for sustained success.

Yes — you have to be careful with contracts once you become a winner. The Seahawks are going to have to pay a lot of people. This includes, potentially, quarterback Sam Darnold within the next 12 months — plus Murphy and possibly the likes of AJ Barner. They’ll eventually pay Devin Witherspoon at some point this year.

They did make a nice chunky saving on Derrick Hall though — so that could present an opportunity to take advantage of.

Williams is most certainly, in my opinion, worth the $28m-a-year Dexter Lawrence is getting from the Bengals. I would argue you can justifiably get him up to the $32m Chris Jones get. This ranking, however, gives him leverage. If the league thinks he’s #1 — why isn’t he paid as such? Jeffery Simmons is the new-money leader on $35m a year.

Tying down Williams and Hall, then eventually Murphy, creates the foundation of your defense during this current Championship window. Frankly, there’s no contract I would be unhappy with if the Seahawks opted to extend Williams’ deal.

He’s a top-tier player who also happens to be an excellent pro. He is exactly the type of individual this team wants to build around — and he’s a huge reason why they are Super Bowl Champions.

You won’t find another player like this — so making a fresh commitment would be a good idea.