The San Francisco 49ers selected Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He now joins All-Pro Nick Bosa on the 49ers' defensive front.
Williams was one of the 30 draft prospects who recently visited the team in Santa Clara.
RELATED 49ers tried to trade up for Mykel Williams, still landed him at No. 11
Measurements:
Williams is 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds. Additionally, he boasts an arm length of 34 3/8 inches and hands measuring 10 1/4 inches.
Hometown:
Columbus, GA
College Statistics:
Williams registered 21 tackles (nine for a loss), five sacks, two passes defensed, and two forced fumbles through 12 games as a senior in 2024, per Sports Reference. Over his three collegiate seasons, he recorded 67 tackles (23 for a loss), 14 sacks, four passes defensed, and three forced fumbles.
| Statistical Rundown | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Comb | TFL | Sk | |||||||
| 2022 | Georgia | SEC | FR | DL | 15 | 15 | 13 | 28 | 7 | 4.5 | |||||||
| 2023 | Georgia | SEC | SO | DL | 13 | 11 | 7 | 18 | 7 | 4.5 | |||||||
| 2024 | Georgia | SEC | SR | DL | 12 | 15 | 6 | 21 | 9 | 5 | |||||||
| Total | 40 | 41 | 26 | 67 | 23 | 14 | |||||||||||
Lance Zierlein's NFL.com scouting report:
An upside prospect with loads of traits, Williams simply needs more snaps and more time to fill out his frame. He is an explosive athlete who uses his exceptional length to keep tackles and tight ends at the end of his punch. He plays a little too tall at the point and needs to get stronger to shed blocks more quickly, but he plays with good physicality in the trenches and is never pushed around. He's still learning moves and counters but already has a big bull rush, good secondary effort and the closing burst to become a sack blanket in the pocket. He's not there yet, but Williams' improvement to become an impactful 4-3 base end feels inevitable.
Lance Zierlein's Player Comparison:
Gregory Rousseau
NFL.com Draft Bio:
- 2022: Freshman All-American. SEC All-Freshman Team. Led team with 4.5 sacks. Played in all 15 games with 2 starts for the national champions (28 tackles, 6.5 TFLs).
- 2023: Second-team All-SEC. Played in 13 games with 10 starts (18 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 2 PBUs, FF).
- 2024: Second-team All-SEC. Tied for the team lead with 2 FFs. Played in 12 games with 6 starts (21 tackles, 8.5 TFLs with 5 sacks, PBU). Played through an ankle injury suffered in the season opener.
Pre-Draft Grade:
Williams earned a pre-draft grade of 6.47 from NFL.com, which equates to a "good starter within two years," per the site's 8-point grading scale.
Projection:
NFL.com projected Williams to be a first-round draft pick.
Pro Football Focus Draft Profile:
At 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, Williams is an excellent run defender who is as strong as an ox but also possesses good speed-to-power conversion — even after just his first step. That first step is also on the better side of average for the NFL level. Though he is still mastering pass-rush moves, he has one of the nastiest and most violent club moves and can combine that with an arm-over/swim or rip move that is tough for anyone to handle. His long-arm move also has a ton of potential.
He does need to improve his precision and purpose with his hands to get clean — low pass-rush win percentage in his career. He also needs to develop more counters to quickly and cleanly get off blocks if the first move doesn't work. As for his competitive toughness, his motor runs hot at all times, and he is in no way shy when engaging in contact, no matter the assignment.
Pro Football Focus Big Board:
Williams ranks 38th on Pro Football Focus' big board.
Pro Football Focus Grading:
Williams earned an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 78.4 in 2024.
NFL Draft Buzz Summary:
Williams presents one of the more fascinating evaluations in this class - a prospect whose film shows flashes of dominance but also stretches where he leaves you wanting more. His combination of power, length, and natural athleticism screams first-round talent, but the inconsistent production and technical rawness makes us think he has a hint of boom-or-bust about him.
The Georgia product could develop into a game-wrecking force if he can harness his physical gifts and expand his pass rush arsenal. However, there's legitimate concern that he might never progress beyond being a quality run defender who occasionally flashes in the passing game. His snap count limitations and reliance on natural ability over refined technique add an element of projection that will make some teams nervous.
The team that drafts Williams will need both patience and an excellent defensive line coach. He profiles best as a strong-side end in a 4-3 or 5-technique in an odd front, where his run-stopping prowess can be maximized while his pass rush develops. The ceiling here is a Pro Bowl caliber defender who can take over games, but the floor is a rotational player who never fully realizes his potential. That variance makes him one of the draft's most intriguing first-round gambles.