\n\t\t\t\tPublished May 2, 2025 at 10:58 AM\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n
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ESPN analyst Ben Solak has revealed his top picks for this season’s NFL Rookie of the Year honors<\/a> on offense and defense. San Francisco 49ers first-round pick Mykel Williams<\/a> leads the defensive list, followed closely by his former Georgia teammate, Jalon Walker, now with the Atlanta Falcons.<\/p>\n Solak attributes Williams and Walker’s high rankings to the opportunities they’re expected to receive early in their careers. He also points out that edge rushers have claimed Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in five of the last six seasons.<\/p>\n Williams is in a favorable position in San Francisco, needing only to outperform Yetur Gross-Matos<\/a> and Drake Jackson to secure significant snaps opposite All-Pro pass rusher Nick Bosa<\/a>. Solak also highlights that Williams will be coached by one of the best in the league.<\/p>\n “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 commented.<\/p>\n Williams recorded 14 sacks and 85 total pressures during his three seasons at Georgia. While Solak may place him atop his rankings, Williams has the fourth-best odds to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, trailing Abdul Carter, Travis Hunter, and Jihaad Campbell, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.<\/p>\n Solak added, “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.”<\/p>\n Solak’s complete ranking:<\/p>\n Mykel Williams, Edge, San Francisco 49ers \t\t\t\tNobody’s perfect. Did you find a mistake in this article? <\/p>\n \t\t\t\tComments \n\t\t\tMore San Francisco 49ers News\n\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/a> \n\t\t\tNFL analyst Brian Baldinger recently revealed his top three candidates for the 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROY) award in a segment on NFL.com, and among them was 49ers’ first-round pick Mykel Williams.<\/p>\n While Baldinger also named New York Giants edge rusher Abdul Carter…\t\t<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \t\t<\/a> \n\t\t\tThe immediate feedback from San Francisco 49ers fans on the selection of Georgia defensive end Mikel Williams has been overwhelmingly positive, but what do the experts have to say? Several weighed in after the pick, handing out their grades\u2014probably way too early.<\/p>\n The…\t\t<\/p>\n
\nJalon Walker, Edge, Atlanta Falcons
\nAbdul Carter, Edge, New York Giants
\nShemar Stewart, Edge, Cincinnati Bengals
\nMaxwell Hairston, CB, Buffalo Bills
\nCarson Schwesinger, LB, Cleveland Browns
\nTravis Hunter, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars
\nMason Graham, DT, Cleveland Browns
\nJames Pearce Jr., Edge, Atlanta Falcons
\nWalter Nolen, DT, Arizona Cardinals
\nKenneth Grant, DT, Miami Dolphins
\nJihaad Campbell, LB, Philadelphia Eagles
\nJahdae Barron, CB, Denver Broncos
\nDerrick Harmon, DT, Pittsburgh Steelers
\nTyleik Williams, DT, Detroit Lions
\nMalaki Starks, S, Baltimore Ravens<\/p>\n
Report it<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\tDo not use the comments to notify us of errors in the article. Editors may not see it. Instead, report errors here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tBaldy Tabs 49ers’ Mykel Williams as a Top Defensive Rookie of the Year Candidate<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tExperts grade 49ers for Mykel Williams selection\u00a0<\/p>\n