The 49ers need to hit on this pick, especially if it’s along the defensive line.
With the Super Bowl over, Mock Draft season is in full swing. Rumors swirl about potential trades in the first round, and team needs are coming into focus.
The 49ers are sitting pretty with the number 11 pick and can go in many directions with their first-round pick. The news of Deebo Samuel’s trade request during his exit interviews has thrown a curveball into the draft process, with some speculating Samuel could be used as a trade chip with other assets to move up in the first round.
Given the misses of first-round picks in the trenches during the John Lynch/Kyle Shanahan era, the organization may need to get back to basics. Sending multiple first-round picks to draft Trey Lance put the team in a position to scout and draft deeper in later rounds, followed by the Javon Kinlaw/DeForest Buckner situation. Drake Jackson was supposed to solve the question of who Nick Bosa’s long-term running mate will be but hasn’t returned the desired results.
The offensive and defensive lines are a priority for the 49ers, given the lack of depth across the defensive line and the potential loss of Aaron Banks and Trent Williams’ eventual departure into retirement and then Canton.
Mykel Williams of Georgia is Renner’s pick. The 6’5” EDGE rusher will be a jolt to the defensive line in 2025.
John Lynch’s first four first-round picks as 49ers GM all came in the trenches. While he’s taken only Trey Lance (No. 3 overall in 2021) and Ricky Pearsall (No. 31 overall in 2024) in the first round since, Lynch looks poised to return to the defensive line of scrimmage that saw a downturn last fall. Mykel Williams is the kind of athletic marvel who defensive line coach Kris Kocurek could work magic with.
CBS Sports has Williams ranked as the third-best EDGE in the draft class and the 13th overall prospect. Being on the cusp of having a top-ten pick puts the 49ers in a premium spot to land a blue chip, immediate impact player in 2025 as the 49ers look to return to the top of the NFC hierarchy.
If the 49ers land a premium EDGE who can start immediately, the team could address defensive tackle with someone like B.J. Hill or D.J. Jones to bolster the defensive line rotation.
Given the return of Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator, it’s fair to expect the 49ers to go all-in on stockpiling the defense and getting the team back to playing football late into January.