Pro Football Focus (PFF) analyst Trevor Sikkema recently examined the top rookie-veteran duos following the 2025 NFL Draft, spotlighting which established players are best positioned to thrive alongside their new first-year teammates. For example, defensive linemen Mason Graham and Myles Garrett with the Cleveland Browns—a potential formidable force in the trenches.
Surprisingly, Sikkema's list did not include any pairings from the San Francisco 49ers. That omission may raise a few eyebrows among the fanbase, especially considering the potential impact of rookie defensive end Mykel Williams joining forces with veteran Nick Bosa.
Bosa recorded nine sacks last season and notched double-digit totals in the three previous years. He's earned a PFF defensive grade of 90.6 or higher in each of the past three seasons, and a pass-rush grade of at least 89.3 in four straight. According to the analytics, despite a slight dip in production in 2024, he remains one of the league's most consistent edge defenders.
While Williams' college pass-rush grades don't quite match Bosa's elite marks, the 49ers' front office, led by general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan, was impressed with what they saw on film. Williams tallied just five sacks last season at Georgia but did so while playing through a nagging ankle injury.
"He's big, he's tall, he's long, he's a great athlete, he's tough, he's smart, he's versatile," Lynch said of Williams. "He can play outside, he can play inside. He does all those things.
"I think the toughness, he played through an ankle injury last year and missed two games, but high-ankle sprains can be a tough deal, and to only miss two games and play as well as he did [is impressive]."
Shanahan echoed the sentiment, noting that his evaluation of the defender was positive even before learning about the injury.
"And then I get in there and I hear some of this stuff and I liked him not knowing that," Shanahan said. "And then you hear that stuff and you're like, all right, that says a lot about his character, how tough he can play, that he only missed two games because of it."
Despite being left off PFF's list, several ESPN analysts believe Williams could make a significant impact in his rookie campaign, especially playing opposite Bosa. Some even view him as an early contender for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
"They knew they needed to improve their run defense, and their selection of Williams in the first round confirmed that commitment," Stephania Bell wrote. "His ability to set the edge is going to be fun to watch opposite of Nick Bosa. Returning defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has to be excited about molding the talented rookie into a perennial elite defender."
Ben Solak added, "He should immediately take the starting job opposite Bosa in camp, and in Saleh's aggressive defense, he will have the license to get after the passer in a way he never did at Georgia. Williams has the tackle radius, explosiveness and grip strength to be a high sack-getter in the NFL."
