How first-round pick Williams caught 49ers’ eye over a year ago

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers got their guy at No. 11 in Mykel Williams, whom the personnel department had their eyes on for over a year.The Georgia edge rusher stood out from the beginning to 49ers directors of player personnel Tariq Ahmad and RJ Gillen, and director of scouting and football operations Josh Williams, who all spoke after the 2025 NFL Draft concluded on Saturday."I would say last summer, exactly," Ahmad said. "I loved watching him last summer, I loved watching him in the fall. Disappointing about the ankle injury, but loved the way he played through it, loved his practice habits. When every scout went there, he still practiced with that injury, and that really stood out to us."Mykel Williams suffered a high ankle sprain in the first game of the 2024 season and continued to practice and play, but his mobility was slightly hindered by the injury. The defensive lineman still appeared in 12 games and registered 21 tackles — 15 solo and nine for a loss — along with two forced fumbles and two pass breakups."I ended up playing through it, and I played on it the whole year and that really just wasn't a smart decision at the time," Mykel Williams said. "I just wanted be out...