Josh Edwards released his latest mock draft for CBS Sports, predicting five defensive linemen will come off the board within the first 11 picks. He has Penn State's Abdul Carter landing with the Cleveland Browns at No. 2, Michigan's Mason Graham going to the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 5, Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart joining the New Orleans Saints at No. 9, and Marshall's Mike Green heading to the Chicago Bears at No. 10.
With the 11th overall pick, Edwards projects the San Francisco 49ers to select Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams.
"The third consecutive edge rusher comes off the board as San Francisco adds a prototype opposite Nick Bosa," Edwards wrote. "Mykel Williams is still an unfinished product, but has the traits of a top tier pass rusher."
The 49ers' pass rush isn't what it once was. Last season, the unit earned a 68.1 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking 18th in the league. Williams could help revitalize the defensive front in Robert Saleh's first season back as defensive coordinator.
According to Sports Reference, Williams (6-5, 260) recorded 67 tackles (23 for a loss), 14 sacks, four passes defensed, and three forced fumbles over three seasons with the Bulldogs. He notched five sacks in 2024 and posted 26 pressures in each of the past two seasons, earning a Pro Football Focus defensive grade of at least 78.4 in both years.
Williams could also bolster the 49ers' run defense, which struggled last season, earning a 28th-ranked 48.8 grade from Pro Football Focus. The Georgia standout excelled in that area, earning run-defense grades of 82.9 in 2024 and 80.3 in 2023.
Tight end George Kittle is one player eager to see the 49ers strengthen their defensive front.
"Hey, let's get another D-tackle or someone to pair with Nick Bosa and Leonard Floyd," Kittle said last month, "and let Fred Warner run a little free out there, and like put less pressure on our DBs. That's always my thing, and that's kind of what's worked for us in the past."
Kittle added, "At one point in 2019, I think we had seven first-round draft picks on our defensive line. I don't know how it happened, but it happened. And so, I'd love to somehow get back to that again."
