With NFL rookie minicamps wrapped up, talk about this year’s rookie class is heating up. And ESPN’s Ben Solak isn’t holding back; he has boldly proclaimed San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Mykel Williams as his early prediction for Defensive Rookie of the Year, despite Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter being the heavy betting favourites.
Is Mykel Williams a Darkhorse Candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year?
Solak has been high on Williams since the 2025 NFL Draft. In his early rookie awards prediction, he said Williams and his Georgia teammate Jalon Walker were his top two picks for the award.
“Mykel Williams joined the 49ers at pick No. 11, and Jalon Walker was taken by the Falcons four picks later. These are my two favorite players for Defensive Rookie of the Year. They play the splashiest position; edge rushers have won the award in five of the past six years. They have very little competition for snaps,” Solak wrote.
He’s undoubtedly right about the competition in Williams’ case — the EDGE already sits atop his position on the right side opposite Nick Bosa, beating out veteran stopgap guys Yetur Gross-Matos and Sam Okuayinonu.
“Neither Williams nor Walker was super productive in college, but both have landed in defenses that can maximize their skill sets. Williams will play under legendary defensive line coach Kris Kocurek, who will free him up to play faster off the line than he ever did at Georgia,” Solak continued.
“Williams’ play style and role lends itself to a little more pass-rush production than Walker’s outlook, as we should expect Walker to spend some time dropping into coverage. As such, I give Williams the edge.”
Although his college stats (five sacks, nine tackles for loss) don’t necessarily pop off the screen, being a Georgia defense alum does come with a particular pedigree, considering the past few Bulldogs classes have produced some of the league’s more productive young defenders including Travon Walker, Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith and Kamari Lassiter. Solak doubled down on his take on Tuesday, May 27.
ESPN’s Ben Solak is expecting big things from Mykel Williams this season:
“Mykel Williams will win Defensive Rookie of the Year. If the 49ers unleash him as a pass rusher in a way that Georgia never did — and if his ankle is healthy — he has a great pass-rush profile for early… pic.twitter.com/eg6xTGAUaH
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) May 27, 2025
He further suggested, “Mykel Williams will win Defensive Rookie of the Year. If the 49ers unleash him as a pass rusher in a way that Georgia never did — and if his left ankle is healthy — he has a great pass-rush profile for early success. He’ll also rarely see double teams opposite Nick Bosa. A 10-plus-sack season is well within the cards.”
With the New York Giants’ rookie and No. 3 overall pick, Abdul Carter is the heavy favourite to take home the award. Solak is certainly going against the grain by backing Williams. However, with Bosa opposite him and playing in a long-established defensive system, Williams is certainly in a good situation to be the dark horse.
Two-way phenom Travis Hunter is also projected above Williams in the DROY race. Still, since the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have a hole at receiver, are expected to give Hunter most of his reps on offense, it wouldn’t be surprising if Williams overtakes him before long.
