The San Francisco 49ers certainly don’t look like their normal selves. Typically, a dynamic defensive team capable of getting after opposing quarterbacks, the 49ers have managed just nine sacks through eight games. Only the Jacksonville Jaguars have fewer.
Of course, injuries have played a large role. San Francisco lost Nick Bosa earlier in the season, and its defense has been ravaged by injuries in general. But one thing is for sure: the Niners were expecting more from rookie defensive end Mykel Williams.
The 49ers selected Williams with the 11th overall pick of the NFL Draft back in April, hoping he would instantly bolster the team’s pass rush. Instead, he has logged just one sack and two quarterback hits while managing a 52.8 pass-rushing grade at Pro Football Focus, which ranks 109th out of 119 qualifying edge rushers.
So, what is going on with the first-year defender? Former NFL offensive lineman Brian Baldinger is concerned.
“He doesn’t look like he’s got the takeoff you need to win on the edge,” Baldinger said on 95.7 The Game. “He almost looks like he would be better inside in a three-technique where he can use his size, and length, and his strength better than he does on the outside right now. That’s what it looks like to me.”
Baldinger then went on to question if Williams will ever truly develop into a dynamic pass rusher.
“It’s a slow process. He’s got a good coach,” Baldinger continued. “But I don’t see the first-step quickness that you need in order to be a feared pass rusher at this point.”
Baldinger qualified his statement by saying that it’s still early in Williams’ career, but there is no question that he has not produced like everyone had hoped heading into his debut campaign.
Williams spent three years at Georgia, amassing 14 sacks throughout his tenure with the Bulldogs. He topped out at five sacks during his final collegiate campaign.
The Warm Springs, Ga. native is still just 21 years old, so there is certainly plenty of time for him to turn things around. But the early returns have not been good for Williams.
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