Not one, but three ESPN analysts are predicting the 49ers' top pick from the 2025 NFL Draft, Mykel Williams, takes home some lofty hardware in year one.
The San Francisco 49ers were fully thrilled former Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams fell to them at No. 11 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.
According to reports, the Niners were worried he wouldn't be there in that spot, potentially going to the New Orleans Saints, who were drafting ninth overall. General manager John Lynch even wanted to trade up ahead of NOLA, but no deal materialized.
Fortunately for San Francisco, Williams slipped out of the top 10 and went to the 49ers anyway.
Williams is only 20 years old and managed just 14 sacks over 40 collegiate games played, so it's understandable why some teams felt he wouldn't necessarily be an immediate-impact player and top-10 prospect.
That said, some draft pundits feel he'll fit right into the best possible context in the Bay Area, particularly when tutored by defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
And that could lead to some award-winning performances right out of the gate.
3 ESPN analysts predict Mykel Williams wins Defensive Rookie of the Year
The last time the Niners drafted a defensive end in Round 1 was back in 2019 when they took Ohio State's Nick Bosa at No. 2 overall, and Bosa went on to win that year's Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
Granted, the comparison isn't to suggest Williams is on the exact same trajectory, but a trio of ESPN analysts are predicting that winds up being the case.
One analyst, Stephania Bell, said this about predicting Williams:
"They knew they needed to improve their run defense, and their selection of Williams in the first round confirmed that commitment. His ability to set the edge is going to be fun to watch opposite of Nick Bosa. Returning defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has to be excited about molding the talented rookie into a perennial elite defender."
Also predicting Williams, Pamela Maldonado added the following:
"What a dream setup. He's big, explosive and can line up anywhere. The real cheat code? He's playing next to Bosa, which means he's going to see a ton of one-on-ones. Throw in Williams' raw power and high motor ... he has a real shot to make noise fast."
Tack on Lindsey Thiry, too:
"He could be a quick study under Saleh, who produced a top-10 defensive unit in the final two seasons of his previous tenure with the 49ers. Williams will play opposite of a former Defensive Rookie of the Year in Bosa, and on a unit that includes four-time All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner. So Williams could go undetected on certain plays but also learn from some of the league's best."
There are reasons both for and against such a prediction. On one hand, Williams doesn't go to a defense where he has to be "the guy" right away. That's Bosa, not unlike Bosa's own rookie year where he joined a fearsome D-line that then included standouts like DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead.
That'll bode well for Williams, who won't be viewed as San Francisco's top pass-rushing threat.
On the other, though, Williams is a polished run defender already but needs a good deal of work to refine his pass-rushing technique, and even playing second fiddle to Bosa in that department won't automatically translate to big-time numbers -- a necessity in earning DPOY votes.
But, if Thiry is correct and Williams becomes that "quick study," the end result could be an award-winning rookie selected by the 49ers at No. 11 overall.