Mykel Williams 2025 NFL Draft: Georgia EDGE Scouting Report
In a talented 2025 NFL Draft class, Mykel Williams stands out as a physical edge rusher. Williams is a versatile edge rusher from Georgia who will likely go in the early second round of the draft. Today, we’ll break down his NFL outlook in this draft report. We will be breaking down his strengths, areas for improvement, and his potential draft grade.
Mykel Williams 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
To begin his college football career, Williams arrived in Georgia as a five-star recruit. During that time, he dominated with double-digit sack totals in his final three seasons. Flipping his commitment from USC to Georgia in 2021, he quickly became a key rotational piece on one of college football’s premier defenses. Over three seasons (2022-2024), Williams contributed to a National Championship (2022) and earned Second-Team All-SEC honors in 2023 and 2024.
Despite battling injuries, Williams showcased elite physical tools and versatility in college. This includes foot surgery in 2023 and a high ankle sprain in 2024. Impressively, his versatility was on display as he lined across the defensive front from 3-technique to wide-9 and even as a stand-up outside linebacker.
HT: 6051
WT: 260
40: 4.75
ARM: 3438
Strengths
- Physical Prototype: Williams boasts an ideal frame for an NFL edge defender at his size. His long arms and powerful lower body give him a natural leverage advantage against blockers.
- Run Defense Prowess: Williams is a brick wall against the run, consistently setting a hard edge with violent hand usage and impressive play strength. He sheds blocks with authority and pursues with a high motor, often stopping ball carriers within two yards of the line of scrimmage.
- Explosive Power: His ability to convert speed to power stands out, particularly on bull rushes, where he drives offensive tackles back into the pocket. His lower-body drive generates consistent push, collapsing gaps in both run and pass situations.
- Versatility: Georgia deployed him across the line—inside as a 4i-technique, outside as a stand-up rusher, and everywhere in between. This adaptability makes him scheme-agnostic, fitting both 4-3 and 3-4 defenses.
- High Ceiling: Still only 20 years old, Williams combines raw athleticism with a relentless work ethic, suggesting significant room for growth as he refines his technical skills.
Areas for Improvement
- Pass Rush Repertoire: While effective with power moves (bull rush, long-arm), Williams lacks a diverse arsenal of counters. His hand placement can be inconsistent, and he rarely wins with speed or finesse around the edge.
- Get-Off Consistency: His first step lacks elite explosiveness, and he’s occasionally late reacting to the snap, allowing tackles to set their blocks before he can engage.
- Injury Concerns: A foot injury in 2023 and a Grade 2 ankle sprain in 2024 limited his early-season impact and raise questions about durability. He played through pain but admitted to being at 60% capacity for much of 2024.
- Raw Technique: Williams relies heavily on athleticism rather than polished moves. His pad level rises when fatigued, and he struggles to disengage when linemen get into his frame early.
- Limited Snap Count: Playing in Georgia’s deep rotation, he never exceeded 410 snaps in a season, leaving some uncertainty about his stamina as a full-time starter.
Conclusion
Overall, Williams projects as a strong-side defensive end in a 4-3 scheme or a 5-technique in a 3-4 front. Particularly, where his run-stopping ability can anchor a line while his pass-rush skills mature. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, or Carolina Panthers—needing edge depth and valuing Georgia’s defensive pedigree—could target him in the middle portion of the first round in the 2025 NFL Draft. Ultimately, his ceiling is that of a Pro Bowl-caliber disruptor. However, his floor is a rotational piece if his technical growth stagnates.
Similar to NFL veteran Chandler Jones, Williams brings a blend of size, power, and versatility to the edge. While not yet the pass-rush technician Jones became, Williams’ frame and motor suggest a similar developmental arc with the right coaching. In the end, he has a bright future ahead of him in the NFL as a versatile edge rusher.
Round Grade: 2nd Round
Stats: Per Sports Reference
| Season | Team | G | Solo | Ast | TFL | Sk | FR |
| 2022* | Georgia | 15 | 15 | 13 | 7.0 | 4.5 | 0 |
| 2023* | Georgia | 13 | 11 | 7 | 7.0 | 4.5 | 1 |
| 2024 | Georgia | 12 | 15 | 6 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 0 |
| Career | 40 | 41 | 26 | 23.0 | 14.0 | 1 |
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