NFL.com editor Dan Parr views New York Giants linebacker and edge rusher Abdul Carter as the early favorite to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors for the 2025 season. Still, he listed nine additional players who could challenge for the award—including San Francisco 49ers rookie defensive end Mykel Williams.
Parr ranked Williams as having the ninth-best chance to take home the honor, citing the rookie's ideal situation on a defensive line that features five-time Pro Bowler Nick Bosa.
"Williams is an imposing presence at 6-foot-5, 267 pounds, something that clearly isn't lost on one of his new fellow Niners edge rushers," Parr wrote.
Parr referenced a recent conversation between veteran pass rusher Bryce Huff and Brad Graham of TheSFNiners, in which Huff, acquired by the 49ers via trade this offseason, praised his rookie teammate.
"He's a unit, I'm not gonna lie to you," Huff said of Williams. "I saw him training this morning. I was like, 'Yeah, he's gonna wreak some havoc in this front, for sure.'"
Those comments were enough to raise Parr's expectations for the former Georgia standout.
"Playing opposite five-time Pro Bowler Nick Bosa should set Williams up with favorable matchups," Parr added. "Will he be able to take advantage of those opportunities? Williams was hobbled by an ankle injury in 2024 and never recorded more than five sacks in a season during his three years at Georgia."
Now fully healthy, Williams participated in the 49ers' entire offseason program and is expected to play a key role in the team's defensive rotation in 2025.
"If San Francisco bounces back from a disappointing year and Williams plays a big role in the renaissance, I could easily see him outperforming this ranking when the ballots are cast," Parr concluded.