Mykel Williams is under the spotlight as he begins his rookie season with the San Francisco 49ers. Drafted 11th overall in 2025, the former Georgia standout carries significant expectations, but also the weight of recent 49ers first-round history.
Names like Solomon Thomas, Reuben Foster, Javon Kinlaw, and Trey Lance loom large when discussing San Francisco’s recent draft misfires. Now, Williams must prove he’s more than just the next name on that list.
According to Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, the rookie edge rusher comes with enticing upside but unproven production. Williams posted 14 sacks across three college seasons, and with the 49ers acquiring Bryce Huff in a post-draft move to pair with Nick Bosa, Williams may find immediate playing time hard to come by.
“Most fans expect first-round picks to be instant difference-makers,” Knox writes. “But Williams may be looking at a developmental year in 2025.”
The competition doesn’t stop there. Williams also finds himself behind veteran Yetur Gross-Matos on the depth chart — a player who not only plays the same hybrid role on the defensive line but also carries a higher cap hit this season. At 27, Gross-Matos brings more NFL experience, but both he and Williams share something in common: recent injury setbacks. Both players missed mandatory minicamp earlier this month.
If Williams wants to be a Week 1 starter, he’ll need to stay healthy and earn his snaps. The 49ers’ defensive front is deep, but expectations around a top-15 pick won’t disappear quietly, especially on a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
