Mykel Williams was always going to be a project for the San Francisco 49ers. The 2025 first-round draft pick is built like a statue, but his technique was limited coming into the league, especially as a pass-rusher.
Williams had a disappointing rookie season in San Francisco, logging just 20 tackles and one sack in nine games before seeing his season get cut short by a knee injury. He was a decent run defender, but the potential the Niners saw in him as a pass-rusher never showed. The young lineman didn't make the impact fans hoped for.
Heading into his second year, Williams is on a quest to prove his doubters wrong. New defensive coordinator Raheem Morris has the scheme to unleash the talented defender.
49ers DE Mykel Williams could see major improvements under Raheem Morris
To be clear, it wasn't much of a surprise to see limited sack production from Williams in his rookie year. He wasn't exactly a game-breaking pass-rusher in college, either. His five sacks and 26 pressures in his final season at Georgia were nothing to gawk at.
But the defender's usage in his first season with the 49ers didn't exactly set him up for success. Williams was used primarily as a wide edge rusher. He was lined up outside the offensive tackle on 62 percent of his snaps, per PFF.
But his impressive frame and physicality make him a mismatch against most guards in the league. While Williams is useful on the edge, especially as a run defender, he should be moved around the line of scrimmage more than he was last season.
Morris has the scheme to help the young defender thrive. The 49ers' new defensive coordinator is known for using multiple defensive fronts, implementing both 3-4 and 4-3 looks. Williams should be moved between his typical 4-3 defensive end spot and a more interior 3-4 defensive end alignment, based on the situation.
Atlanta Falcons defender Zach Harrison is a perfect example. Under Morris last season, he split his snaps almost exactly between lining up over the B gap, directly over the offensive tackle, and outside the offensive tackle. Harrison, whose frame mirrors Williams' almost exactly, had his best season, producing five sacks on just 114 pass-rushing reps and earning a pass-rush grade of 78 from PFF.
In a similar role, Williams could be set to break out. While it's still unclear exactly how Morris will use the second-year defender, fans can expect much more positional flexibility from him.
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