49ers GM Makes Stark Admission Around Selection of Georgia Star Mykel Williams

Mykel Williams was the first member of the Georgia Bulldogs to come off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft as he was selected 11th overall by the San Francisco 49ers.

But the defensive end could have gone in the top 10 had the Niners been successful in making what ultimately would have proved to be an unnecessary move.

There had been plenty of talk around Williams as a potential top-10 selection ahead of the draft, with the New Orleans Saints viewed as a possible landing spot.

Speaking at a press conference after the first round, 49ers general manager John Lynch revealed that concern around missing out on their top target prompted them to attempt to move up.

Asked if they were expecting Williams to go earlier, Lynch said: "We were. We were hanging on.

"Yeah, we thought there were a number of instances where he might go and it just kept, kind of kept watching the deal and it kept, other guys kept showing up. So that was a good thing for us and really, really pleased with adding Mykel to our group."

Pressed on whether they attempted to move up the board, Lynch joked: "May have. I may have, I don’t know.

"No, we tried and thank God they took someone else because he was still there when we picked, so we’re happy."

There is always an element of luck in the draft, and the 49ers were fortunate they got the man they wanted without having to give up any extra capital in a huge draft for the franchise.

For Williams, he'll now likely get the chance to start right off the bat at the defensive end position across from Nick Bosa. As a high-floor run defender with enticing room to grow as a pass rusher, that's an excellent spot in which to reside.