The San Francisco 49ers are 2-0. And it's not just because of the veteran leaders. A few of the players who were picked in the 2025 NFL Draft back in April are truly paying off for the squad.
Especially from the 11th overall pick, defensive end Mykel Williams.
Williams has had an impact that doesn't necessarily show in the box score. Although Williams hasn't recorded too many big numbers in the stat sheet, it's worth noting he is the most double-teamed edge rusher in the NFL.
Top 25 most frequently doubled Edges - Week 1
- Min 15 pass rush opportunities https://t.co/Jr8d5ZWyPO pic.twitter.com/BMJ9iEjKCb
— Stat Acccount (@AcccountStat) September 13, 2025
Although he has yet to record a sack or a pressure much like many of the other names on the list, he has created opportunities for other Niners pass-rushers. And his versatility makes him a real difference maker who is doing more than just getting after the quarterback.
Mykel Williams already proving to be a 49ers difference maker
In Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, Williams contributed to two pressures (one by Nick Bosa, one by Dee Winters) that forced quarterback Sam Darnold into throwing an incompletion. One of the pressures was because of a double team Williams took on while Winters and Fred Warner were running a stunt blitz.
Williams also drew a double team on San Francisco's close-out defensive play by Bosa for a strip sack and recovery:
NICK BOSA CALLS GAME
SFvsSEA on FOXhttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/7cck4psHjo
— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2025
That effort won't show up in the box score, but it impacted the play in a massive way.
In Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints, on the final two drives, Williams was an important piece in creating opportunities for his fellow pass-rushers again. On third down with 3:50 left in the game, Williams was lined up on the inside next to Bosa. Both beat their blockers one-on-one, causing quarterback Spencer Rattler to step up before getting sacked by Bosa. Then, on the final drive of the game, Williams was lined up on the inside of Bryce Huff. Williams took on a double team from the guard and centerm and Huff was one-on-one with the right tackle.
Huff beat his guy off the line and forced the fumble on a sack to win the game:
49ers defense seals the W in New Orleans! pic.twitter.com/DtwSMQD0pe
— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025
Williams' ability to dominate with bull rushes and to overpower on one-on-one situations makes him someone offensive lines have to game plan around. Think of it the same way Justin Smith impacted the 49ers in the early 2010s to create opportunities for Aldon Smith and other pass-rushers.
At this time, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh wants to focus on Williams as a run defender while he continues to develop.
"He’s going to make his living, at least while we're here, being a first- and second-down run defender on the outside and then rushing the passer on the inside," Saleh said, via NBC Sports Bay Area's Jennifer Lee Chan. "We think he can rush the passer outside, too, but we also think that he can be an elite interior pass rusher, which is very hard to find. Those guys are rare. Even more rare than an edge guy.
The rookie's play in the run game can be best be exemplified by his two tackles for a loss against the Saints.
In the second quarter, the Saints tried to run it to the right on the inside of the tackle and guard. But Williams—who was unblocked—slanted down and made a quick open tackle on running back Alvin Kamara for a 4-yard loss.
Then in the fourth quarter, the Saints tried to line up a tight end to block against Williams for Kamara to run to the left. But Williams used one arm to push the tight end back into Kamara and made the tackle for a loss of 2 yards.
You can check out a thread of Williams' tackles for a loss here.
It's only been two weeks and Williams is still very raw. However, his impact when he's on the field is very noticeable. It's the only the start to his career, but once he continues to develop as Saleh and Co, want him to, the defensive end will be a household name for seasons to come.