The 49ers long prioritized the defensive line, and they did so again with their top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
One of the primary themes for the San Francisco 49ers in the years after general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan took over in 2017 was to boast a strong and deep defensive line.
For a number of years, that was the case. But, over the course of 2022 through 2024, this one-time top priority began to wane, forcing the Niners to rely more on piecemeal additions and/or expensive free-agent signings.
The lack of youthful reinforcements in recent years ultimately led to the current offseason: an aging, dilapidated D-line that finally was blown up, headlined by the releases of veterans like Leonard Floyd and Javon Hargrave.
Armed with 11 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, including No. 11 overall, Lynch and Co. needed to get to work on restocking the proverbial D-line cupboard.
Thankfully, this year's class boasted no shortage of talented prospects from which to choose, and one of them landed directly in San Francisco's lap.
49ers make old-school statement by drafting Mykel Williams
Just before the draft, Lynch dropped the hint that the 49ers would potentially look at a player like Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams, who'd help set the edge and serve as a day-one run defender. While not dropping his name directly, Williams would make a lot of sense.
And that's what the Niners did with the 11th overall pick, their first selection in the 2025 draft.
With 14 sacks in three seasons, including five last season, his pass-rushing moves need a bit of refinement. But, coming off an ankle injury, one can still see there's more production just waiting to be explored.
As far as physical abilities, Williams has them. Regarding technique, it needs to be refined.
Thankfully, the return of defensive coordinator Robert Saleh should help matters, as the high-upside motor Williams possesses fits right into what Saleh will want in a player.
In fact, it's hard to doubt Saleh influenced this pick, envisioning the former Bulldog as a perfect long-term bookend to All-Pro defensive end Ni