Pro Football & Sports Network's Jacob Infante recently named one Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate for each of the 32 NFL teams. He highlighted Williams as the 49ers' top contender, crediting the presence of All-Pro pass rusher Nick Bosa for creating an ideal situation for the rookie.
RELATED
"Any time you get a player like Nick Bosa rushing off the edge, whichever player rushes alongside him is practically guaranteed consistent 1-on-1 blocks," Infante explained. "For the San Francisco 49ers, that player figures to be Mykel Williams in 2025.
"Though a little bit raw, Williams has elite size and length rushing off the edge. His short-area quickness and power indicate he could be a threat if he deepens his arsenal as a pass rusher. His upside alongside Bosa is incredibly high."
Drafted 11th overall, Williams has already expressed excitement about the opportunity to learn from Bosa, an All-Pro who won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 before earning five Pro Bowl selections.
"I'm seeing a lot of talent, a lot of eagerness to learn, more so than I've seen probably from any young guy," Bosa said of Williams last month. "He just wants to learn as much as he can, and I'm excited to give all the knowledge I can to him. I think he's got a ton of talent, so the sky's the limit."
When asked about Williams' physical traits, Bosa added, "Just length, size, explosiveness, all the things you want—strength, physicality. He's got it all."
Williams finished his college career at Georgia with 67 tackles (23 for loss), 14 sacks, four passes defensed, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. The 49ers hope the promising rookie can help revitalize a defensive front that struggled to consistently stop the run and pressure quarterbacks during the 2024 season.
H/t to Mike Masala of Niners Wire for the find.
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers' Trent Williams omitted from NFL's Protector of the Year award finalists
San Francisco 49ers tackle Trent Williams delivered another standout season, proving that even at 37, he remains one of the NFL's elite offensive linemen. Williams earned a 91.5 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF) for the 2025 season, ranking third among all... -
NFL insider: 49ers could lose top assistant after Raheem Morris hire
The San Francisco 49ers reportedly found their new defensive coordinator on Sunday, hiring former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris. The team also interviewed two other candidates: 49ers assistant head coach Gus Bradley and Las Vegas Raiders pass game coordinator and... -
NFL insider predicts 49ers could trade Mac Jones to this NFC team
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated last week that he expects backup quarterback Mac Jones to remain with the team during the 2026 season. Despite that stance, trade speculation continues to follow the former first-round pick after his extended playing time... -
CBS Sports links 49ers to Joey Bosa, other key NFL free agents
After finishing the 2025 season with a league-low 20 sacks, the San Francisco 49ers are expected to prioritize pass-rush help this offseason, whether through NFL free agency or the 2026 NFL Draft. If the team opts to add a veteran defensive end, one potential move could reunite...