In a 2025 NFL Draft class stacked with blue-chip defenders and rising offensive firepower, one name continues to surge among the scouting circles and front offices: Mykel Williams, a physically imposing and athletically gifted defensive end from the University of Georgia. Despite playing in the shadows of more statistically dominant edge rushers this past season, NFL.com recently highlighted Williams as a potential first-round steal, particularly for a team like the Cincinnati Bengals—who are seeking immediate help on the defensive front.
Williams has the pedigree, the size, and the ceiling that NFL general managers salivate over. And while his stats might not dazzle on paper, his tape tells a different story. If developed properly, he could be one of the most impactful defenders in this draft.
Let’s dive deep into who Mykel Williams is, how he got here, and why he could be one of the 2025 draft’s most underappreciated gems.
🏈 Early Life and Recruitment
Mykel Williams grew up in Columbus, Georgia, and quickly became one of the state’s most talked-about high school football players. Playing for Hardaway High School, Williams was a dominant force on both sides of the ball, but it was on defense where he truly made his mark. His rare blend of size, length, and explosion had scouts buzzing long before he hit his senior year.
Originally a USC commit, Williams made headlines when he flipped his commitment to Georgia in October 2021. The decision proved to be monumental not just for his own career, but also for the Bulldogs’ ability to maintain a stranglehold on defensive recruiting under head coach Kirby Smart.
He was rated as a five-star recruit and the No. 4 overall player in the 2022 class by multiple services. From the moment he arrived in Athens, expectations were sky-high.
🐶 College Career at Georgia
Williams didn’t take long to make an impression in Athens. As a true freshman, he appeared in all 15 games during Georgia’s national championship-winning 2022 campaign, recording 28 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. His ability to play with power, anchor against the run, and occasionally flash off the edge made him a rotational cornerstone on an already loaded defensive front.
By his sophomore year in 2023, Williams was elevated to a starting role. That season, he posted 8.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles, earning Second-Team All-SEC honors. His numbers may not have rivaled those of other edge defenders like Alabama’s Dallas Turner or Michigan’s Derrick Moore, but his versatility, motor, and technique earned him major respect within SEC coaching circles.
He closed out his 2024 campaign continuing to build on those traits. Though he totaled just 5.5 sacks, he led the team in quarterback pressures and was often the one eating double-teams to free up blitzers from Georgia’s second-level defenders.
🔍 Scouting Report: Strengths and Weaknesses
Measurables
- Height: 6’5”
- Weight: 265 lbs
- Arm length: 34”
- 40-yard dash: 4.72 (estimated)
- Bench press: 24 reps
- Vertical: 33”
Strengths
- Elite Frame & Athleticism: Williams has the prototypical NFL build for an edge rusher. His wingspan and overall athletic profile make him a problem for offensive linemen, especially in one-on-one scenarios.
- Versatility: He can line up as a traditional 4-3 defensive end, 3-4 outside linebacker, or even as an interior rusher in nickel packages. Georgia used him in all these roles, and he handled them with maturity and physicality.
- Run-Stopping Ability: One of the better edge setters in the class. Williams consistently maintains leverage and sheds blocks to make plays behind the line.
- Motor and Work Ethic: His relentless pursuit of the ball—even when plays are away from him—has drawn praise from coaches and scouts alike. Williams doesn’t quit on plays.
- Football IQ: Often seen diagnosing plays before the snap, Williams rarely bites on misdirection and does an excellent job of maintaining edge discipline.
Weaknesses
- Pass Rush Arsenal: Williams relies heavily on a bull rush and has yet to consistently showcase a diverse array of pass rush moves (i.e., swim, spin, rip). His hand usage is improving but still raw.
- Burst Off the Snap: Occasionally late off the line, giving offensive tackles the early advantage. This can limit his effectiveness in obvious passing downs.
- Inconsistent Leverage: Sometimes plays too upright, particularly late in games, which limits his ability to convert power to speed or bend the edge effectively.
🧠 Film Analysis
On tape, Williams displays tremendous functional strength, consistently driving offensive linemen backward. He shines in run defense, where he maintains gap discipline and uses his hands well to disengage from blocks.
His pass-rushing tape is a bit more of a mixed bag. When he’s able to get a step on the tackle and convert that into a power move, he’s extremely effective. However, his lack of a go-to counter move limits him on third-and-long situations against experienced left tackles.
His most impressive game came against Tennessee in 2024, where he logged 2 sacks, 3 QB hurries, and a batted pass. It was a clinic in power, pad level, and awareness.
🐅 Why the Bengals Are a Fit
The Cincinnati Bengals find themselves at a bit of a crossroads heading into the 2025 season. With franchise quarterback Joe Burrow healthy but aging, the Bengals are in win-now mode. Their defense, particularly the pass rush, has been inconsistent. With Trey Hendrickson nearing the back half of his career and Sam Hubbard more of a solid contributor than a dominant edge presence, the Bengals need a young, disruptive force on the outside.
Mykel Williams is a perfect schematic fit. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo loves versatile linemen who can play multiple positions and switch from 4-3 to 3-4 looks seamlessly. Williams would be a rotational contributor early on, but with NFL coaching and some time in the weight room, he could develop into a high-end starter by Year 2.
NFL.com’s projection of Williams to Cincinnati at pick No. 28 has been met with quiet optimism. He’s exactly the type of low-risk, high-upside player teams love to snag late in the first round—especially one with his pedigree and background.
🔮 Draft Day Projection
Most reputable mocks now have Mykel Williams slotted as a late-first or early second-round pick, though some teams reportedly have him higher on their board due to his character, versatility, and long-term upside.
If he slips out of the first round, he won’t fall far. Teams like the Bengals, Cowboys, Packers, and Saints have all been linked to Williams in recent weeks.
🎙️ What Scouts Are Saying
“He reminds me of a young Cam Jordan—he can do everything well, even if he’s not flashy.” — Anonymous AFC South scout.
“Williams is one of those guys who grows into a star in his second or third year. His ceiling is crazy high. You don’t find edge guys with his size and movement every day.” — NFC North Director of Scouting.
“There’s not a safer edge pick in the back half of the first round.” — NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein.
