The San Francisco 49ers entered the NFL Draft with some significant defensive needs coming out of free agency and the early stages of the offseason. Thursday, the team made a significant stride forward in revamping this unit.
San Francisco has selected Mykel Williams with the No. 11 pick in the first round of the draft, beefing up a defensive front that needed significant help around star edge rusher Nick Bosa.
In Williams, the Niners have the perfect partner to bookend their front four. According to Fox's Jordan Schultz, the Niners had considered trading up, but their patience paid off here as they land their preferred target.
The Georgia product boasts plenty of upside though still putting the pieces together in terms of a pass rush arsenal. But his explosive ability and physicality help him challenge at the point of attack while maintaining a presence in the backfield.
Following the Niners' slide down the NFC standings, general manager John Lynch saw a need for a defensive reset. That led to a reunion with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh who laid the foundation of another golden era for San Francisco's defense.
With some of those fundamental pieces still in tow, including Bosa and Fred Warner, the Niners hope Williams can develop into a similar foundational piece.
San Francisco has its work cut out to replace a number of its previous contributors from all three levels of the defense. Williams should step in immediately and begin to close the gaps.
