Mykel
Williams

Before Williams' teammates saw what he can do on the field, they took one look at his work in the weight room and found themselves in awe. "He's a unit," Bryce Huff said. "I'm not gonna lie to you. I saw him training this morning … and I said, 'Yeah, he's gonna wreak some havoc in this front for sure.'"

The 49ers are never down for long. Thanks in part to an elite ability to hit on draft picks, the team always responds from down seasons in a major way. After winning six games in 2024, the squad aimed to get back on track by selecting Williams, a dazzling defender who makes winning plays on the regular.

Georgia has long been known for producing elite playmakers on defense. Williams is the latest to add his name to that storied list. The sensational linebacker spent three seasons consistently wreaking havoc for the Bulldogs, recording 67 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 14 sacks and three forced fumbles.

A well-rounded edge out of the University of Georgia, Williams added some sizzle to San Francisco's defensive front with his arrival in 2025. The sleek pass-rusher explodes out of the blocks with an instant burst of speed, rips around tackles and puts a hit on the QB before he's finished dropping back.

The 11th overall draft pick in 2025, Mykel excited 49ers fans with his performance on September 21, during a 16-15 victory over the Cardinals. Williams earned a 68.4 pass rushing grade from Pro Football Focus while notching six pressures and five hurries.

Williams' tenacious mentality was first forged on the wrestling mat, where his effort as a newcomer made up for the skills he didn't yet have. "He was just a dog, to be honest with you," Mike Smith, his coach in Columbus, Ga., told The Athletic. "He doesn't know what quit is. He'd just keep going until it was over."

Mykel lives to disrupt. His blend of length, power and burst lets him set a relentless edge. Williams converts speed to power with ease, keeps blockers off his frame and flashes the versatility to rush inside or out. In his immediate starter as a 2025 rookie on September 14.

Holding their breath the 49ers exhaled when Williams was there for them with their 1st overall pick. A 2025 1st-Team All-American, Williams had the shifting up next in the scarlet and gold. Georgia knew he'd be shifting up next in the scarlet and gold.

Williams was sensational during the 49ers' 26-21 road win over the Saints in Week 2 of 2025. The rookie linebacker made his presence felt and constantly found himself around the ball. Making play after play, he showed why he was a first-round draft pick and tallied five tackles.

Williams was ESPN's Stephania Bell's early pick for DROY following the 2025 draft. "His ability to set the edge is going to be fun to watch opposite Bosa," she said. "Returning defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has to be excited about molding the talented rookie into a perennial elite defender."

Mykel invites to disrupt. His blend of length, power and burst lets him get him edge. Williams converts speed to power with ease, keeping blockers off his frame or smashing the versatility to rush inside or out. In immediate starter as a 2025 September 14.