2025 NFL Draft prospect profile – Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

Can Williams make the Giants’ pass rush even more formidable?

Quarterbacks around the NFL should be on notice for the upcoming season; the EDGE class in the 2025 NFL draft is preparing to make their lives miserable.

This year’s crop of edge defenders and pass rushers is the best in recent memory. It has the potential to be the deepest and most talented group of pass rushers to come out of college in well over a decade — if not longer.

The New York Giants already had a fierce pass rush in 2024. While they faced the third fewest passes against (503), they were still tied for seventh in total sacks (45) and were 5th in sack rate (8.21 percent). The Giants are widely predicted to select a pass rusher at the top of the draft, but the door reportedly remains open for a trade down.

If the Giants decide to be the wildcard in the draft, could they still look to add a player like Mykel Williams from Georgia later in the first round? While he didn’t have stellar sack production thanks to Georgia’s breadth of talent and somewhat positionless defense, he has the traits to be an impact player at the NFL level.

Prospect: Mykel Williams (13)
Games Watched: vs. Clemson (2024), vs. Alabama (2024), vs. Texas (2024), vs. Tennessee (2024)
Red Flags: Sprained ankle (2024, reaggravated in College Football Playoffs)

Measurables

Kent Lee Platte | RAS.football

Strengths

Best traits

• Size and length
• Explosiveness
• Hand usage
• Play strength
• Competitive toughness

Mykel Williams is a good-sized, explosive, powerful, and technically sound edge defender.

Williams is built like a classic defensive end at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, with 34-inch arms. He also plays with the requisite power you’d expect from a hand-in-the-dirt player who routinely has to take on offensive tackles.

He has an excellent first step with very good initial quickness – as well as an explosive closing burst – which allow him to stress blockers with speed off the edge. Williams is a pro-ready technician with heavy, active hands and an understanding of how to use them. He consistently attacks blockers hands to keep them from latching on, using his length to his advantage, and mixing a wide variety of pass rush moves. Williams is also comfortable stringing multiple moves together while taking on waves of blockers.

His size, technique, and power also allow him to rush on the interior or occupy blockers. Georgia often used him on the same side as Jalon Walker to great effect.

Williams is able to win with power, speed, or technique, and is also a reliable tackler who strives to finish his plays. He gives great effort in pursuit and is a hard hitter once he arrives at the ball carrier.

Weaknesses

Worst traits

• Space play
• Lower body fluidity

Weaknesses in Williams’ profile will likely be in the eye of the beholder. Teams that primarily use a 4-man front, or a one-gap 3-man front with a rush linebacker, will likely see few issues in Williams’ game.

However, teams that use more exotic looks and frequently ask their edge defenders to play in space or rush from unconventional angles might find a few limitations.

Most notably, while Williams has a fantastic burst and first step, he slows fairly dramatically after the first few steps. His 4.77-second 40-yard dash is fine for a classic defensive end, but slow for an outside linebacker who has to cover ground in space. It can also impact Williams in pursuit if ball carriers are able to find some space without traffic.

Williams also has some slight stiffness in his ankles that can make turning tight corners a bit problematic. His technique is usually able to compensate, however there are occasions where Williams isn’t quite able to maintain his speed while changing directions.

Game Tape

(Williams is the Georgia EDGE wearing number 13 and white tape on the backs of his arms.)

Projection

Mykel Williams projects as a starting EDGE or DE at the NFL level.

Williams would fit best in a one-gap defense that seeks to generate pressure with a four-man rush. He would also be effective in a blitzing defense, so long as he was being asked to create rushing lanes and not to drop into coverage often.

Williams is a bit of a throwback in the modern era of “positionless” defense, however his blend of traits and technique should allow him to contribute right away for the team that drafts him.

Does he fit the Giants?
Yes.

Final Word: A first round talent