The San Francisco 49ers are getting a massive boost leading up to Week 5's divisional matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. First-round edge rusher Mykel Williams will reportedly return to action after spending the first four weeks of the season on the PUP.
His timing couldn't be better, as Nick Bosa is currently out, and the 49ers are struggling to find healthy bodies on the front lines. Not only will he be another healthy body, but he may be Sam Darnold's worst nightmare.
Darnold's metrics when faced with pressure have not been favorable. In Week 4, for example, he had the second-lowest EPA per dropback of all quarterbacks when under fire. With rushers like Osa Odighizuwa and Keion White already gearing up to torment the Seahawks' signal caller, Williams could be the piece that puts their pass-rushing unit over the top.
Mykel WIlliams will give 49ers a clear advantage against Darnold and the Seattle offense
With the aforementioned trio of weapons, the 49ers will boast a clear advantage in a game that figures to be competitive. Seattle is 3-1. Though their defense hasn't been the smothering unit it was projected to be, they still have stars up and down the roster. Therefore, the 49ers will need every edge they can get.
Seattle's running game has already been suspect. First-round rookie Jadarian Price is on IR, and the team is currently relying on Emmanuel Wilson to take the lion's share of the work. It's one possible reason why Darnold has been struggling under pressure, as the Seahawks' offense has looked a bit one-dimensional.
Williams failed to make an impact in his nine games last year, but he is supposedly returning to action leaner and quicker than before. Even without Williams (and Bosa for half of the first four weeks), the 49ers have put up respectable pass-rushing numbers. If the 2025 11th-overall selection were to live up to his draft capital, he could set up what might be one of the league's premier front sevens for the duration of the season.
Bosa's inevitable return would be icing on the cake. Assuming everyone gets healthy, San Francisco's defense could be an embarrassment of riches. To this point, quarterback Brock Purdy has been putting the team on his back, doing everything he can to lead the red and gold to victory. He might not have to for much longer, though. Mykel Williams' return is the first step toward a fully healthy roster, which would in turn take the pressure off their franchise QB.
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