NFL analyst Brian Baldinger joined Bay Area radio station 95.7 The Game on Friday morning to discuss the San Francisco 49ers' first-round selection of Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams. Baldinger is a big fan of the pick, calling Williams the clear second-best edge defender in a deep defensive line draft class and expecting him to make an impact for years to come.
"He's got great length, long arms, knows how to set a mean edge, can really play up and down your defensive line," Baldinger said.
Williams' versatility, his ability to play both outside and inside on passing downs, was a key trait highlighted by general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan.
"I mentioned the ability—he plays outside, he can come inside in the sub-rush packages and rush over guards," Shanahan said Thursday night.
Baldinger added that while Williams is primarily an edge rusher, he's more than capable of sliding inside to play the 3-technique.
"He can go inside because he can handle double teams," Baldinger explained. "He's just got tremendous size at 6-5, really long arms—he's got almost a 7-foot wingspan—knows how to use them. But he reminds me, honestly, of [DE] Travon Walker, who was a No. 1 pick a couple of years ago by Jacksonville. He has that type of power.
"He (Williams) got hurt last year, in the first game of the year, against Clemson. High-ankle sprain—battled through it all year, so he didn't have quite the production that some people predicted, but he also demonstrated a lot of toughness."
Speaking to reporters on Thursday night, Williams admitted that pushing through the injury may not have been the smartest decision.
"I just wanted to be out there with my guys, so I was playing through a lot of pain," he said.
Williams added, "Right now, I'm 100% healthy, though, and I've been working out and moving on it like normal."
Baldinger also emphasized how Williams' presence along the defensive front could benefit defensive end Nick Bosa by drawing attention away from him. He's expecting a big year from the veteran All-Pro.
"I thought the 49ers got themselves a really good complement opposite Nick Bosa right now as they try to build this defensive line," Baldinger concluded.
You can listen to Baldinger's interview below.
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