The San Francisco 49ers had a clear need entering the 2025 NFL Draft at defensive line, particularly on the edges, and they addressed it early on, drafting defensive end Mykel Williams from Georgia with the 11th overall pick.
But even with the depth issues the Niners have at the D-line, Williams' selection will have a major impact on current defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos.
Gross-Matos, entering the final year of his contract, dealt with injuries last year and missed the first half of the season. But when healthy, he flashed a strong bull rush, a physicality at the point of attack, the ability to play the run, and the capacity to shift inside and rush from the defensive tackle position if necessary.
Williams, the newest Niner, has a strong bull rush, a physicality at the point of attack, the ability to play the run, and the capacity to shift inside and rush from the defensive tackle position if necessary, per Lance Zierlein's draft profile. In essence, Williams is a player who should be able to provide exactly what Gross-Matos provides to San Francisco.
Yetur Gross-Matos' future with 49ers is insecure after Mykel Williams selection
Because Williams is relatively young (only 20 years old at the time of being drafted) and still in need of more strength training to build out his frame, Gross-Matos should not fear being immediately pushed out of the rotation.
But, with Williams lurking in the background, Gross-Matos no longer offers a unique flexibility in the defensive line room, which dramatically limits his value. Perhaps more importantly for Gross-Matos, it likely means his time in San Francisco will come to an end after the year is up.
The 49ers hope that Williams can make an immediate impact on the field his rookie year.
Unfortunately for Gross-Matos, that might spell an early end to his 49ers tenure.