Breaking: All-Pro Gets New Partner in Crime: 49ers’ 2025 Mock Draft Pick Send Shockwaves
The San Francisco 49ers have several needs to address in a huge offseason following a severely disappointing 2024 campaign, which will end in their first losing season since 2020.
Near the top of the list is the edge rusher position.
San Francisco has gotten decent production out of Leonard Floyd this year but, in a year in which he has been hampered by injuries, there can be little doubt former Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa has not had adequate support.
The 49ers unearthed a gem in the form of Sam Okuayinonu. However, with Yetur Gross-Matos having also dealt with injuries, San Francisco has struggled to overcome a clear lack of strength in depth on the edge.
In his latest A to Z Sports mock draft, Ryan Roberts has the Niners improving their situation on the defensive front by landing a premium prospect on the edge.
Roberts the 49ers selecting Georgia edge Mykel Williams 11th overall.
He writes of Williams: “Williams just feels like a 49er. He technically is nowhere near where he needs to be, but his talent is impressive. Learning from someone like Nick Bosa could do wonders.”
Despite technical deficiencies, Williams has still managed to rack up five sacks and nine tackles for loss this season, adding two forced fumbles. With San Francisco, he would be landing in the perfect spot in which to develop his raw talent.
The 49ers have a renowned defensive line coach in Kris Kocurek, who has a strong track record of getting the best out of his players. That hasn’t happened to the same degree this season, but the progress Okuayinonu has made is a testament to his abilities as a coach.
And with Floyd under contract for another year, Williams would have two more excellent pass-rushing tutors in the form of him and Bosa.
The Williams pick would also make sense in that the 49ers have a strong relationship with Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart, San Francisco having received a recommendation from Smart when they drafted another Georgia edge rusher, Robert Beal Jr, in the fifth round in 2023 (h/t NBC Sports Bay Area).
Beal hasn’t had a huge impact as a pass rusher, though he has recently made strides as a run defender. If the 49ers do decide to go with Williams come April, he will enter the NFL with much higher expectations and under substantial pressure to deliver in year one for a team that will be desperate to return to the playoffs in 2025.
