Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, it was essentially guaranteed that the San Francisco 49ers would go the defensive route when they went on the clock at No. 11 overall, given the plethora of players on that side of the ball they let walk out the door in free agency.
Many pundits believed the Niners would select Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker if he were still available. But while the Dick Butkus Award winner was still on the board, San Francisco opted instead to take his teammate, defensive end Mykel Williams, as the team reportedly felt he was the better overall option.
And given what future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams had to say about going to battle with the 21-year-old in the early days of training camp, the hype is undoubtedly real.
"Mykel is a huge dude, man,” Trent Williams said of his new teammate. “You generally don’t see guys that size on the edge. It sucks having to base block guys whose arms are as long as your legs, but I think he has a chance to be a really good player in the NFL. I think he has a chance to be dominant.
"He has the best coach in the league pushing him. You get to learn from some of the best guys to learn from, obviously Nick [Bosa]. So, I'm happy to see how he turns out. I think he's got all the tools to be an All-Pro."
That's high praise from anyone, but when it comes from an 11-time Pro Bowler, words like that are just that much more special. Trent Williams also had a highly complimentary NFL comparison for Mykel Williams, stating how the rookie reminds him of a former 49ers Pro Bowler.
"Size-wise, he puts you in the mind of a young DeForest Buckner,” Williams said. “But obviously he’s a little more slight in the frame and can play the edge, play outside and inside. In a sense, he does, but I think he has his own makeup that makes him different as well.
"He’s an intriguing prospect, just watching him for a few days, he looks promising. Can’t wait to see where he ends up."
It's no secret that returning defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, who seemingly played a big part in the first-round selection, loves big guys up front, and as Trent Williams mentioned, Mykel Williams is certainly that, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing in at 260 pounds.
But even beyond his size, the two-time All-SEC selection possesses surprising agility and exceptional overall athleticism. He still needs to work on his technique to truly maximize those long arms, but that will come. And as Trent Williams mentioned, Mykel Williams will have an excellent mentor from whom to learn in five-time Pro Bowler and 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa.
The Niners will undoubtedly need Mykel Williams to make an immediate impact, and it sounds like he's already done just that.
