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The San Francisco 49ers used the No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to select defensive end Mykel Williams, a move widely viewed as laying the groundwork for a dominant pass-rushing pairing with All-Pro Nick Bosa for years to come. The potential of a long-term Bosa-Williams tandem sparked excitement among fans.
However, that excitement was followed by some questions after the 49ers traded for veteran edge rusher Bryce Huff, leading many to wonder if the addition might limit Williams’ opportunities—and development—during his rookie campaign.
Matt Holder of Bleacher Report doesn’t believe the Huff acquisition will hinder Williams’ path to the starting lineup. Instead, he sees Huff playing a more situational role, used primarily in obvious pass-rushing downs rather than as an every-down defender.
Even during his most productive season as a pass rusher with the New York Jets, Huff’s play against the run was uninspiring.
“Nick Bosa needs a running mate to take some of the pressure off his shoulders,” Holder wrote. “That’s why the 49ers spent their high draft pick on Williams. While Bryce Huff and Yetur Gross-Matos will provide competition, Huff is a situational pass-rusher, and Gross-Matos has only been a full-time starter once in five career seasons.”
Holder added, “That points to the rookie getting thrown into the fire early on.”
The 49ers invested heavily in revamping their defensive line during the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting three defensive linemen with a focus on improving both the pass rush and their run defense, which underperformed last season.
At Georgia, Williams steadily improved each year, particularly against the run. His Pro Football Focus run-defense grade peaked at 82.9 in 2024, highlighting his ability to hold his ground and make plays against the run.
That kind of versatility should allow him to stay on the field in all situations, whether rushing off the edge or sliding inside to create mismatches while providing pass-rushing opportunities to others, as needed.
“He’s a unit, I’m not gonna lie to you,” Huff recently said of his new rookie teammate. “I saw him training this morning. I was like, ‘Yeah, he’s gonna wreak some havoc in this front, for sure.'”
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