49ers 1st-Round Pick Flagged After ‘Subpar’ Rookie Season

July 11, 2026 - 20:35

Pro Football Focus analyst Bradley Locker has placed San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Mykel Williams on a list of players facing significant pressure heading into their second NFL season. Williams, selected by the 49ers with their first-round pick in the 2025 draft, was flagged for what Locker described as a "subpar" rookie campaign.

According to Locker's assessment, Williams failed to meet the high expectations typically attached to a first-round selection. The young pass rusher struggled to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks and was often a step slow in run defense. While the 49ers defense as a whole remained competitive, Williams' individual performance stood out as a weak link, especially given the team's investment in him.

The designation puts Williams in a precarious spot as he prepares for his sophomore season. With the 49ers looking to contend for a Super Bowl, the front office and coaching staff will be expecting a significant leap in production. If Williams cannot show marked improvement early in the 2026 season, questions about his long-term fit with the franchise are likely to intensify. The pressure is now squarely on the young edge rusher to prove that his rookie year was an anomaly rather than a sign of things to come.