The San Francisco 49ers’ offseason took a clear rebuild-oriented approach across multiple areas, especially on defense. The team used its first five draft picks on defensive players, most notably selecting Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams, for whom the 49ers even attempted to trade up into the top 10 to secure.
As minicamp begins, Williams emerges as the most intriguing player from the rookie class. He’s expected to draw plenty of attention during practices in San Francisco thanks to his elite athletic potential, and one key question that remains to be answered heading into the season.
Mykel Williams Shines As the Top Player To Watch in San Francisco’s Minicamp
The selection of Williams by the 49ers sparked mixed reactions, but it was largely praised by analysts. As a prospect, the Georgia edge rusher didn’t post eye-popping numbers in college, with just 14 sacks over three years, but his physical traits and run defense discipline caught San Francisco’s attention, and the team quickly fell in love with him.
Right after drafting Williams, 49ers GM John Lynch revealed that the franchise even tried trading up with a team inside the top 10 — possibly the Carolina Panthers — to get ahead of the New Orleans Saints, who were reportedly interested in the player as well. The trade didn’t happen, but Williams still fell into San Francisco’s lap.
Now, as minicamp kicks off, all eyes are naturally on Williams. Given the team’s effort to secure him, analysts and fans alike are eager to see any signs of growth from the athletic freak the franchise targeted. Two key names outside of Williams himself help explain the high expectations: Robert Saleh and Kris Kocurek.
Saleh, the former defensive coordinator who led the dominant run-stopping defense during the team’s Super Bowl run in 2019, is back, and run defense is once again a pressing need. Williams already excels in that area. Opposite Nick Bosa, even if he doesn’t contribute right away as a pass rusher, his role in stopping the run could prove crucial.
Then there’s Kocurek, the 49ers’ defensive line coach known for reviving careers — from Clelin Ferrell to Charles Omenihu and even Chase Young, who parlayed a 2023 late-season stint in San Francisco into a three-year, $51 million deal with the New Orleans Saints.
Kris Kocurek on Mykel Williams shadowing Nick Bosa at practice:
“He’s really gravitated towards Nick a lot. If you watch him at practice he’s always standing right behind Nick and Nick knows he’s watching. He’s a kid who’s really eager to learn. He wants to know how and why.… pic.twitter.com/UYhfU3N3To
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) June 4, 2025
Together, Saleh and Kocurek have the expertise to turn Williams’ athletic potential into production, and that process begins now. His pass rush arsenal is still raw, with inconsistent technique and decision-making on when to use each move. But with elite speed and freakishly long arms, the tools are there.
The 49ers’ defense finished 26th in the PFSN Defense+ metric last season, struggling mightily to generate pressure, with just 37 sacks (23rd in the NFL) and 187 total pressures (25th). That’s far from the physical identity established under Saleh and his successor, DeMeco Ryans.
Williams, alongside fellow rookies Alfred Collins and C.J. West, will play a pivotal role in the 49ers’ defensive rebuild. All three will be closely monitored through minicamp and into training camp, but none carries more buzz than the Georgia rookie who won over the 49ers’ scouts and now gets to learn from one of the best position coaches in football.