Examining what the 49ers are getting with their first round pick from Georgia
The question was less about whether the San Francisco 49ers would take a defensive lineman and more about whether it would be an edge rusher or defensive tackle. The board fell the Niner’s way as Mason Graham was the only player from the defensive trenches to be selected in the first nine picks.
As soon as general manager said the team was looking for an edge rusher that “sets a firm edge,” many fans tried to put two and two together. Georgia’s Mykel Williams was the most guessed name.
Selecting Williams is like nailing your drive down the middle of the fairway. It’s what you’re supposed to do. You’re setting yourself up to succeed. You’re not guaranteed a birdie, but you’re in an ideal position to excel.
Williams was PFF’s eighth-highest-graded run defender in this edge rusher class. He’s one of the strongest players in the class and isn’t anywhere close to reaching his potential. He’s young but plays the run like a 10-year veteran.
The first thing you notice about Williams is how strong he is. The second thing you’ll see is how much room he has to grow. He’s truly a blank slate. So, the 49ers are getting a toolsy, raw edge prospect who will see the field early thanks to his run defense and, ideally, ultimately develop into a pass rusher.
It also allows Yetur Gross-Matos to come in during nickel situations, so he isn’t relied upon as a run defender. And after his injuries last season, there was no guarantee that YGM would stay healthy all season.
Lynch also talked about Kris Kocurek “developing a plan,” which is what Williams will need to rush the passer. He isn’t very bendy, which is why he kicked inside on passing downs. Williams also doesn’t use his hands or countermoves. Basically, he plays like someone who hasn’t needed to rush the passer consistently. That will change now that he’s a first-round pick.
I’ve long compared Williams to Arik Armstead or that “bucket” of players. I had him ranked 15th overall:
Williams is the player that’s going to live in the middle of the spectrum. He’s 20, so the assumption is that he’ll ascend into this dominant pass rusher. So why hasn’t that happened in three years of playing? Why didn’t Kirby Smart unleash him and this athletic upside on obvious passing downs? What top 10 pick comes off the field on third downs? If Williams were on the field, he’d kick inside at defensive tackle. I struggle to put a player in the first round when they’ve shown little ability to impact the game as a pass rusher consistently.
He’s the exact opposite against the run. Smart, strong as an ox, always in position, and consistently making plays. Williams is a dominant and disciplined run defender, which makes his floor high. If the lightbulb ever comes on and it clicks for Williams as a pass rusher, he’ll belong in the second tier. For now, Williams goes in the Arik Armstead bucket.
The strength, measurables, athleticism, and discipline are there. The polish isn’t, but that’s where you’re hoping coaching comes into play.
If Williams gives the 49ers an ounce of pass-rush productivity, they have a steal. If he levels off and remains the player he is, that’s a damn good run defender who will start in the NFL for a long time. In this class, there’s nothing wrong with hitting it down the fairway.