Latest news with #MykelWilliams
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
How George Kittle is giving Mykel Williams early ‘welcome to the NFL' moment
How George Kittle is giving Mykel Williams early 'welcome to the NFL' moment originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area Programming note: The American Century Championship will air Friday, July 11, from 1-3 p.m. PT on Peacock, and again from 5-7 p.m. PT on GOLF Channel. Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13, the tournament will air locally on NBC Bay Area (KNTV) from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. PT. Advertisement Star 49ers tight end George Kittle thrives in coach Kyle Shanahan's outside zone scheme as a blocker, and first-round draft pick Mykel Williams might have to learn that the hard way in practice this season. Kittle detailed his early interactions with Williams during San Francisco's offseason so far, and it's clear things could get interesting between the two teammates during training camp later this month — all in good fun, of course. 'I get to run outside zone against Mykel Williams, and so that's going to be really fun because he was telling me how he thinks it's disrespectful for tight ends to block him,' Kittle told NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco at the American Century Championship on Thursday in South Lake Tahoe. 'And I was like, welcome to the NFL baby. You're going to see something different on these practices, I promise you that.' Advertisement Kittle's PFF run block grade of 84.5 is the best for NFL tight ends over the last seven seasons, and the All-Pro could put together a feature-length film of his viral pancake blocks over the years. Kittle even has admitted to laughing after tossing an opponent onto their back. 'Whether you're taking their soul, they just made a highlight reel clip, and you never want to be on a highlight reel clip,' Kittle told reporters in 2021. 'So I kind of laugh about the fact that they just made a highlight reel clip. So thanks.' Kittle is an all-around talent as a blocker and pass-catcher, and Williams certainly will learn quickly that the 49ers do things differently when it comes to outside zone. Advertisement Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast
USA Today
07-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
49er news: DROY candidate, potential big contract and more for Cardinals fans
We check in with the Cardinals' NFC West rival 49ers to see what has been going on recently. We have reached the end of another week in the NFL offseason, so it is time to see what has been going on with the Arizona Cardinals' NFC West rivals — the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks. What is new as we await the start of training camps later this month? Below are a few stories from the last week that Cardinals fans should know about the 49ers. Mykel Williams is top DROY candidate The 49ers' top pick in the 2025 NFL draft was EDGE Mykel Williams. He was named the 49ers' top candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Starting RT playing for big raise Colton McKivitz, the 49ers' starting right tackle, enters the final year of his contract after signing a one-year extension last year. A good year could set him up to get a huge deal in free agency next offseason. Interest in FA CB The Niners have had to make changes at cornerback Charvarius Ward departed in free agency. So did Isaac Yiadom and Rock Ya-Sin. They have shown recent interest in former first-round pick Damon Arnette. Day 3 rookie surprising in offseason program The offseason program ended last month, but one 49ers writer believes that one of their late-round rookies was the team's biggest offseason surprise. He named receiver Jordan Watkins, selected in the fourth round this year. Roster breakdown The Niners start camp later this month. Here is a look at their roster, broken down by position. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
USA Today
01-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
49ers first-round pick identified as top candidate for 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year
After moving on from the trio of Leonard Floyd, Drake Jackson and Alex Barrett this offseason, the San Francisco 49ers used their first-round pick (No. 11 overall) on Georgia Bulldogs defensive end Mykel Williams. Through his three seasons at Georgia, Williams appeared in 40 games, recording 67 tackles (23 for a loss), 14 sacks, four passes defensed, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery while earning All-SEC honors twice and winning a national championship. There were plenty of talented first-year players taken in this year's draft, but Williams has one of the highest ceilings, and Pro Football and Sports Network's Jacob Infante even listed the 21-year-old as one of the top candidates for the 2025 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. "Any time you get a player like Nick Bosa rushing off the edge, whichever player rushes alongside him is practically guaranteed consistent 1-on-1 blocks. For the San Francisco 49ers, that player figures to be Mykel Williams in 2025," Infante wrote. "Though a little bit raw, Williams has elite size and length rushing off the edge. His short-area quickness and power indicate he could be a threat if he deepens his arsenal as a pass rusher. His upside alongside Bosa is incredibly high." There's a wide range of outcomes for Williams in 2025. Some believe he could jump off the page as a double-digit sack guy as a rookie, while others think he may fall short of the hype that comes with a pick in the top half of the first round. Having Bosa and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh in the building should help him realize his potential, but he'll really need to put in the work in training camp to earn and keep a starting job over veteran edge rusher Bryce Huff, whom the team acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles after the draft. More 49ers: 6 reasons for optimism about the 49ers going into 2025
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
49ers' First-Round Pick Has 'Potential to Disappoint'
49ers' First-Round Pick Has 'Potential to Disappoint' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The San Francisco 49ers selected Georgia defensive lineman Mykel Williams with the 11th pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but some are already doubting the rookie. Advertisement In a recent article by Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski, he lists six first-round draft picks that have the "potential to disappoint" in their first season in the leagued one of the players he mentions is the former Georgia Bulldog. "The opportunity to play opposite Nick Bosa certainly helps," Sobleski wrote. "Williams can be an excellent run defender at the onset of his professional career. But the 20-year-old will need time to hone his craft for a year or two before he becomes the pass-rusher that San Francisco hopes he can be." Williams switched from an interior defender to being an edge rusher, so his ability to get to the quarterback is not exactly up to the NFL level yet. But he can do other things very well, which is why the team picked him in the first round. While he tallied just five sacks in his final season at Georgia, he was able to wrap up other ball carriers in the backfield with nine total tackles for loss. He was also able to tally 21 total tackles, deflect a few passes at the line of scrimmage, and force two fumbles. Advertisement While his edge-rushing ability might not be as good as it could be entering the league, having a superstar like Nick Bosa mentoring him could give Williams a but of an edge heading into his rookie season. Related: 49ers Urged to Sign $19 Million Super Bowl-Champion Gamble Related: George Kittle Gets Brutally Honest About Retirement Plans This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
49ers' John Lynch gets brutally honest on ‘tough' offseason
The post 49ers' John Lynch gets brutally honest on 'tough' offseason appeared first on ClutchPoints. John Lynch, the general manager of the San Francisco 49ers, didn't hold back about the team's difficult offseason. Advertisement Every hard choice, from parting ways with key veterans to reshaping the roster, was guided by a clear vision. 'We had to get younger and we had to get a little cheaper,' Lynch explained, highlighting the team's goal to maintain its core while setting the stage for a significant move: quarterback Brock Purdy's contract extension. This spring, the 49ers bid farewell to several big names, including Deebo Samuel, Aaron Banks, Charvarius Ward, Talanoa Hufanga, and Dre Greenlaw. It was a tough sight for fans, and Lynch recognized that during his appearance on NBC Sports Bay Area's 49ers Talk podcast. 'Even though we kind of warned our fans, that's a tough pill to swallow,' he admitted. 'I think it spoke to how good our roster was.' However, behind this talent exodus was a well-thought-out strategy. Lynch and the front office turned to the draft to reload, focusing on defense with their first five picks. Georgia Bulldogs pass rusher Mykel Williams led the charge, joined by Texas Longhorns lineman Alfred Collins and Indiana Hoosiers' CJ West. The plan was to replace pricey veterans with promising young talent while relying on the coaching staff to help them develop quickly. Advertisement The next big step came in late May when the 49ers and Brock Purdy wrapped up a five-year, $265 million extension, with $181 million guaranteed. While this deal doesn't top the NFL salary charts, it places Purdy among the quarterbacks with the seventh-highest average annual value. For San Francisco, locking in long-term stability at quarterback was essential. Now, the challenge is clear: the 49ers need their rookie class to rise to the occasion and support a core that includes Purdy, Fred Warner, and George Kittle. With several established stars gone, the pressure is on not just the newcomers but also on Purdy himself—now one of the league's highest-paid quarterbacks. Still, Lynch is optimistic. 'We executed a plan that we needed to, and we're excited with the way it all came together.' Related: 49ers' John Lynch provides clear expectations for younger SF team Related: 3 San Francisco 49ers in danger of getting cut after 2025 minicamp
