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One of Georgia's three first-round picks in the 2025 NFL draft has officially signed his first NFL contract. Edge rusher Mykel Williams signed his rookie contract with the San Francisco 49ers, according to Spotrac.
The contract is worth a fully guaranteed $24.94 million, with a $14.78 million signing bonus. It also includes a fifth-year option, something that is customary with every first-round pick. He is the second first-round pick from UGA to sign his contract, with Atlanta Falcons' Jalon Walker being the first.
Williams spent three seasons with Georgia, recording 14.5 sacks and earning second-team All-SEC in his last two seasons with the Bulldogs. He earned 4.5 sacks in both 2022 and 2023. Some perceive his 2024 season as a little disappointing as he totaled just 5.5 sacks. However, he was dealing with a nagging ankle injury that he received in the middle of the season and took him out for two games.
The 49ers saw his potential despite the low sacks production, and as a result, they made Williams the first Georgia Bulldog drafted in the 2025 NFL draft. Last year, the 49ers dealt with injuries to several of their offensive playmakers, but on the defensive side, they lacked the talent to consistently generate sacks. They were in the bottom 10 NFL teams in sacks, and outside of Nick Bosa, no one averaged more than half a sack per game.
Williams looks to make an immediate impact, and with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh returning after four seasons coaching with the New York Jets, Williams could reach his ceiling a lot easier and make this rookie contract a bargain for the 49ers.
In fact, Williams is Lindsey Thiry's predicted defensive rookie of the year. Thiry along with three other ESPN NFL experts picked Williams to win the defensive rookie of the year award. He was ESPN's second-most popular pick behind New York Giants rookie linebacker Abdul Carter.
"He could be a quick study under Saleh, who produced a top-10 defensive unit in the final two seasons of his previous tenure with the 49ers," said Thiry. "Williams will play opposite of a former Defensive Rookie of the Year in Bosa, and on a unit that includes four-time All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner. So Williams could go undetected on certain plays but also learn from some of the league's best."
There's no doubt that Williams is joining one of the best situations in the NFL for a rookie pass rusher. The 49ers have a talented team and should force opposing offenses into a lot of obvious passing situations this year.
This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Georgia Bulldogs first-round pick signs $25M deal with 49ers
Continue reading...
The contract is worth a fully guaranteed $24.94 million, with a $14.78 million signing bonus. It also includes a fifth-year option, something that is customary with every first-round pick. He is the second first-round pick from UGA to sign his contract, with Atlanta Falcons' Jalon Walker being the first.
Williams spent three seasons with Georgia, recording 14.5 sacks and earning second-team All-SEC in his last two seasons with the Bulldogs. He earned 4.5 sacks in both 2022 and 2023. Some perceive his 2024 season as a little disappointing as he totaled just 5.5 sacks. However, he was dealing with a nagging ankle injury that he received in the middle of the season and took him out for two games.
The 49ers saw his potential despite the low sacks production, and as a result, they made Williams the first Georgia Bulldog drafted in the 2025 NFL draft. Last year, the 49ers dealt with injuries to several of their offensive playmakers, but on the defensive side, they lacked the talent to consistently generate sacks. They were in the bottom 10 NFL teams in sacks, and outside of Nick Bosa, no one averaged more than half a sack per game.
Williams looks to make an immediate impact, and with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh returning after four seasons coaching with the New York Jets, Williams could reach his ceiling a lot easier and make this rookie contract a bargain for the 49ers.
In fact, Williams is Lindsey Thiry's predicted defensive rookie of the year. Thiry along with three other ESPN NFL experts picked Williams to win the defensive rookie of the year award. He was ESPN's second-most popular pick behind New York Giants rookie linebacker Abdul Carter.
"He could be a quick study under Saleh, who produced a top-10 defensive unit in the final two seasons of his previous tenure with the 49ers," said Thiry. "Williams will play opposite of a former Defensive Rookie of the Year in Bosa, and on a unit that includes four-time All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner. So Williams could go undetected on certain plays but also learn from some of the league's best."
There's no doubt that Williams is joining one of the best situations in the NFL for a rookie pass rusher. The 49ers have a talented team and should force opposing offenses into a lot of obvious passing situations this year.
This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Georgia Bulldogs first-round pick signs $25M deal with 49ers
Continue reading...
