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The San Francisco 49ers, with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, selected Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams.
The early run on upper-crust blockers was brutal for a Niners team that counted the offensive line among its biggest weaknesses. That left general manager John Lynch to fortify the other side of the trench instead. Enter Williams, the latest link in a chain of athletic mutants to come out of Athens, Georgia.
LIVE NFL DRAFT RESULTS: Keep tabs on all 32 picks made in Thursday's first round
Williams was the first significant, non-trade surprise of 2025. He’s got first-round talent but was largely expected to hear his name called later, especially with guys like Mike Green and Shemar Stewart on the board. Williams lands in the middle of those two prospects thanks to modest production (14.5 sacks in three seasons) and elite athleticism (a 1.6-second 10-yard split at 267 pounds at Georgia’s pro day).
He remains a raw piece of pass rushing clay. He needs to refine and add to his arsenal while understanding the power moves that got him this far won’t work as easily at the next level. But he’s got time to adjust in the middle of San Francisco’s deep defensive front. If anyone can push him to his potential, it’s Kyle Shanahan and company.
NFL DRAFT 2025 FIRST-ROUND GRADES: Live NFL Draft grades for every pick
We're a little curious here, so a B- grade sounds about right.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 2025 NFL Draft grades: San Francisco 49ers draft Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams at No. 11
Continue reading...
The early run on upper-crust blockers was brutal for a Niners team that counted the offensive line among its biggest weaknesses. That left general manager John Lynch to fortify the other side of the trench instead. Enter Williams, the latest link in a chain of athletic mutants to come out of Athens, Georgia.
LIVE NFL DRAFT RESULTS: Keep tabs on all 32 picks made in Thursday's first round
Williams was the first significant, non-trade surprise of 2025. He’s got first-round talent but was largely expected to hear his name called later, especially with guys like Mike Green and Shemar Stewart on the board. Williams lands in the middle of those two prospects thanks to modest production (14.5 sacks in three seasons) and elite athleticism (a 1.6-second 10-yard split at 267 pounds at Georgia’s pro day).
He remains a raw piece of pass rushing clay. He needs to refine and add to his arsenal while understanding the power moves that got him this far won’t work as easily at the next level. But he’s got time to adjust in the middle of San Francisco’s deep defensive front. If anyone can push him to his potential, it’s Kyle Shanahan and company.
NFL DRAFT 2025 FIRST-ROUND GRADES: Live NFL Draft grades for every pick
We're a little curious here, so a B- grade sounds about right.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 2025 NFL Draft grades: San Francisco 49ers draft Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams at No. 11
Continue reading...
