Big week at the combine for the prospect.
Regardless of what happens with defensive end Trey Hendrickson, the Cincinnati Bengals need to attack their pass rush this season.
Hendrickson finished the 2024 season with 17.5 sacks, but the rest of the pass rushers left a lot to be desired.
With the NFL Draft coming up in under two months, the Bengals could be in a position to draft a player that was at times a potential No. 1 overall pick in some preseason mock drafts.
In his latest mock draft at ESPN, Mel Kiper Jr. projects that the Bengals will take University of Georgia Bulldogs edge Mykel Williams.
There might not be a player with more to prove this week at the combine than Williams. He was considered a candidate to go in the top five — and even potentially No. 1 — when we first started building draft boards for this class back in August. But an ankle injury slowed him in 2024, resulting in just five sacks over 12 games. The traits are there, though. With a good week in Indy, the Bengals probably won’t be high enough on the board to get him. Turn on the tape, and you see outstanding speed-to-power.
As Kiper notes, an ankle injury slowed Williams a bit this season, but he still has all of the physical traits to become an elite pass rusher. Whether he is drafted as Hendrickson’s replacement or to play alongside him, Williams could be a big part of the answer for the Bengals’ defensive woes.
Kiper seems to like the idea of Williams and Hendrickson teaming up.
Cincinnati was 25th in sacks this past season, with Trey Hendrickson accounting for 17.5 of their 36. The defense held this team back, and for the Bengals to get back to the playoffs next season, they have to find a running mate for Hendrickson off the edge.
Williams at 17, yes or no? Let us know in the comments!
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