Mykel Williams – Syndication Server

Saints add talented pass-rusher in latest ESPN mock draft

The New Orleans Saints were linked to an elite athlete at defensive end from an SEC powerhouse in the latest ESPN mock draft:

The New Orleans Saints have plenty of holes that need to be filled this offseason, but the defensive line stands out as one of the biggest.

Despite the Saints pouring countless assets into the defensive line, they are still among the weakest teams in the NFL at getting to the quarterback.

To help fill this void, ESPN analyst Field Yates had New Orleans select Georgia Bulldogs defensive end Mykel Williams with the No. 10 overall selection in his latest mock draft.

Here is what Yates had to say about the selection:

“The SEC championship game was a great chance to see why Williams is such a tantalizing prospect. He notched two sacks in an overtime win against Texas, giving him five on the season. Williams is as impressive physically as any player in the class, as he has rare length and fluidity for the edge position. His ability to bend the edge and generate pressure makes him a potential Pro Bowl-level pass rusher in the NFL, particularly when he is asked to pin his ears back and rush more than he has for a deep Georgia front.

The Saints need the help, ranking 28th in pass rush win rate (35.0%). Cameron Jordan will be 36 next season, and Chase Young is signed for only this season.”

Williams is the quintessential early draft Saints pass rusher. He is very large and athletic, but has not been very productive in his college career.

The junior has 14 sacks over three seasons with 23 total tackles for a loss and three forced fumbles.

While it makes sense for New Orleans to draft a pass-rusher, and Williams is an exciting athlete, it would hurt to see them fall back into this trap once again. They clearly have not been able to develop this type of player in the past, so it may be time to try something new.

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Georgia’s top SEC championship performers

Impact players in the Georgia Bulldogs’ 22-19 win over the Texas Longhorns in the SEC championship

The Georgia Bulldogs beat the Texas Longhorns in the 2024 SEC championship thanks to several standout performances. In the 22-19 defensive minded SEC championship win for the Bulldogs, who are the bright spots for Georgia during the Dawgs’ comeback victory?

Quarterback Gunner Stockton

In a game where Stockton thought he was not going to play, he stepped up in the most important game of his career. Stockton was taking what the defense gave him through going 12 of 16 with 71 yards.

He added a rushing dynamic that helped the UGA offense. In the first possession after halftime, he helped dissect Texas’ defense to take the 10-6 lead. In late fourth quarter, he threw a costly interception that turned into a Texas field goal to send the game into overtime. In overtime, he was decisive and showed off his toughness after taking a huge hit from Texas safety Andrew Mukuba.

ALSO SEE: Celebrate Georgia’s 15th SEC Championship with exclusive merchandise!

Running back Trevor Etienne

Trevor Etienne’s injury status was up in the air due a rib injury. Carson Beck left the game with an upper body injury, then Etienne stepped up to aid the comeback. He became the focal point of the offense gaining over 100 total yards and scoring the only two touchdowns for the Georgia offense including the game-winning touchdown in overtime to crown the Bulldogs SEC champions.

“This why you come to Georgia,” Etienne said during his postgame interview. Etienne transferred from the Florida Gators to Georgia during last offseason.

Defensive back Daylen Everette

Daylen Everette has faced an insane amount of adversity during his time at Georgia. He was picked on last season, but was the shut down corner in the SEC championship. He had two interceptions against a very experienced quarterback in Quinn Ewers. Everette has been progressively been getting better this season and played his two best games versus Texas.

Entire front seven

Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Warren Brinson (97) reacts after defeating the Texas Longhorns in overtime in the 2024 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Georgia front seven made their mark all game. In the previous matchup, they had seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss. In the SEC title game, they accounted for six sacks and 15 tackles for loss against Texas offensive lineman.

The most talented player in this front seven, junior defensive lineman Mykel Williams, played out of his mind with two sacks and two tackles for loss. Another player that showed up big time was senior defensive lineman Warren Brinson with a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss.

Three Georgia Bulldogs picked in first round of NFL mock draft

Three-round 2025 NFL mock draft has four Bulldogs selected.

PFF released its latest three-round 2025 NFL mock draft, and four Georgia Bulldogs were selected in this draft, including three in the first round. With Georgia players potentially graduating, declaring for the draft, or entering the transfer portal, the Bulldogs are working on signing recruits to replace these Georgia players.

Here are the Bulldogs selected in PFF’s mock draft:

No. 10: S Malaki Starks, Cincinnati Bengals

Starks has progressed ever since Georgia recruited him in 2021. He was a part of the championship squad in 2022, became a Consensus All-American in 2023, and could win a major award in 2024.

The Bengals need significant help in the secondary, especially at safety, and with Starks, Cincinnati will get a rangy safety with an elite football IQ. The Bengals have been looking for a Jessie Bates replacement and Starks could be that.

No. 11: EDGE/LB Jalon Walker, Chicago Bears

Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Walker is a hybrid linebacker/edge rusher with elite pass-rushing abilities, which has drawn him comparisons to Micah Parsons. He’s racked up over 20 pressures in the past two seasons and has an 81.6 pass-rushing grade this year.

The Bears, who recently promoted a former Georgia running back to head coach, could choose to address the defensive side of the ball. Walker can pair with Montez Sweat to form an elite pass-rushing duo.

No. 29: EDGE Mykel Williams, Philadelphia Eagles

Other mock drafts have picked Mykel Williams higher, but even with the slide, Williams lands in a perfect spot. Philadelphia needs reinforcements at the edge, with Brandon Graham retiring and Josh Sweat heading into free agency. The Eagles already have several Georgia Bulldogs on their roster, including Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Nolan Smith, and Nakobe Dean in their front seven.

No. 56: OG Tate Ratledge, Baltimore Ravens

Ratledge has been a stalwart guard for five years at Georgia. In the past three seasons, he’s earned over an 80 PFF grade in pass-blocking and over a 69 PFF grade in run-blocking. The Ravens need offensive line reinforcements, especially in the guard spots.

2025 NFL draft: Titans select Mykel Williams in latest The Athletic mock

The Tennessee Titans are slated to select 7th in the 2025 NFL draft and Dane Brugler from The Athletic sees them addressing their defense.

The Tennessee Titans sit at 3-9 on the season and many fans have already turned their attention to April and the 2025 NFL draft.

Unfortunately, unlike in past years where there was consensus on the top prospects, after Colorado Buffaloes cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter, there is no clear-cut order in the player rankings. That’s not to say there isn’t talent; there is. That just means that the players this year and in what order they are selected will likely be more in line with scheme fit than a consensus draft board.

This is going to make this draft both exciting and polarizing, especially for fans who aren’t embedded inside team facilities to see the actual big board.

In fact, this is already visible in the mock drafts published across the web. No one has a clue as to how this draft is going to fall and it will probably remain that way until at least February and the NFL combine.

NFL draft expert Dane Brugler of The Athletic recently released his latest mock draft and has the Titans bypassing their greatest need, offensive tackle, and going defense with the seventh pick.

7. Tennessee Titans: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia

After upgrading Tennessee’s offensive line in the first round the last two years, general manager Ran Carthon now can turn to the defensive side of the ball. Although his production has dropped this season as he’s battled through an ankle injury, Williams has a rare blend of power, athleticism and length. His 2024 Texas tape alone might be enough for him to be drafted this high.

There is no doubt the Titans do need more out of their edge players and Williams is possibly the top edge prospect for the 2025 NFL draft. He boasts prototypical size, length, and athleticism that allows him to be versatile enough to play multiple spots along the defensive front whether in a 4-3 or 3-4 alignment. He does need some refinement with hand placement and consistency, but he has the tools to be a high-impact player in the NFL.

What are your thoughts, Titans fans? Would you pick Mykel Williams or select an entirely different player in the 2025 NFL draft?

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Georgia’s biggest transfer portal needs

Georgia football’s primary position to target in the NCAA transfer portal

The winter transfer portal window opens on Monday, Dec. 9. What are some positions the Georgia Bulldogs most need to acquire talent for next season?

Quarterback

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck is not expected to return in 2025. The Bulldogs have no returning quarterbacks on the roster that have thrown over 100 career pass attempts. UGA is very likely to target a quarterback to, at the very least, compete with Gunner Stockton and Jaden Rashada.

Wide Receiver

It wouldn’t be surprising if Georgia adds at least two wide receivers via the transfer portal. The Bulldogs brought in three receivers from the portal last year and two the year before, so this approach is a regular part of UGA’s roster strategy. Georgia’s wide receiver depth is already expected to take a hit with four seniors Dominic Lovett, Michael Jackson, Arian Smith (has one-year of remaining eligibility) and Colbie Young set to depart. Also, Dillon Bell could leave for the 2025 NFL draft.

Georgia has a clear need to replenish talent and maintain depth at the position. It would say a lot if head coach Kirby Smart spends significant name, image and likeness resources for an elite wide receiver. A name to watch is former five-star wide receiver Johntay Cook from the Texas Longhorns.

In 2024, Cook recorded eight catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns.

Safety

Georgia has three starting-caliber safeties right now. However, Dan Jackson is set to depart and Malaki Starks is expected to declare for the NFL draft. Starks is projected to be a high first round pick.

This leaves KJ Bolden as the only returning starter at safety. Expect Georgia to reach out to former FAU safety CJ Heard. He is from the Atlanta area and graduated from Woodward Academy.

In 2024, he recorded 73 tackles which led FAU and also forced a fumble in his freshman campaign. He also earned midseason freshman All-American honora.

Defensive Lineman

Nazir Stackhouse and Warren Brinson will exhaust their eligibility at the end of the 2024 season, and Christen Miller could also be an early draft departure. Also, Mykel Williams is more than likely skipping his senior season to be a high first round NFL draft pick. Georgia will likely look to add experienced defensive line talent with a particular emphasis on a nose tackle.

Last year, the Bulldogs explored options at defensive tackle and only took Xzavier McLeod. This time, they may adopt a more flexible approach, adding more than one experienced defensive linemen. While Georgia is assembling an elite defensive line group for 2025 through high school recruiting, the group will still need immediate plug-and-play options to maintain depth and competitiveness upfront.

How Georgia can win, cover against Georgia Tech

How can Georgia football win and cover against Georgia Tech?

The Georgia Bulldogs are large 17.5-point home favorites against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Week 14 of the college football season.

Momentum on the Offense

For the past two games, we have seen the Georgia offense humming with multiple contributors at a high rate. Quarterback Carson Beck is the engine that makes the UGA offense go. In his last two games, Beck totaled 644 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions, with a passer rating over 90 in both contests. In the UMass game, freshman running back Nate Frazier had a 100 plus yards on the ground and three touchdowns.

Front Seven

The UGA front seven steps up in moments when Georgia needs them the most. In the Texas and Tennessee games you saw the likes of Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams step up. The front seven is zoned in and shut out Tennessee in the second half.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere in Sanford Stadium is always electric, especially when the stakes are high. The crowd plays a major role in creating a hostile environment, making it difficult for opposing teams to execute under pressure.

The energy is amplified when Georgia fans are fully invested in the rivalry, making it a tough challenge for any team to come in and compete. This energy, combined with Georgia’s talent, creates an intimidating atmosphere that benefits the Bulldogs. There’s a reason that Georgia has won 30 straight home games.

3 Georgia Bulldogs selected early in first round of 2025 NFL mock draft

Three Georgia Bulldogs are projected to go in the top half of the first-round in a recent CBS NFL mock draft.

CBS writer Ryan Wilson recently released his newest 2025 NFL mock draft. Wilson projects that three Georgia Bulldogs will go in the top half of the first round of his mock draft.

All three of Wilson’s projected first-round picks from Georgia play defense. The Bulldogs are among the best defenses in the country, but still have room for improvement.

Jalon Walker, Miami Dolphins, 12th overall

Jalon Walker has shown insane versatility, lining up as both an off-ball linebacker and as an edge rusher. He’s a fast player that is great at block shedding, both in pass-rushing and run defense. He’s already drawn praise from NFL legends, such as Micah Parsons, who he’s received comparisons to. Walker would be an impact player for the Dolphins defense that sorely needs one in the front seven.

Mykel Williams, 14th overall, Chicago Bears

Mykel Williams is a little further down from draft mocks earlier in the year. He was considered a contender for the No. 1 overall pick in September. However, he is still a one-of-one talent when he’s healthy.

Williams’ incredibly good against the run, showing elite upper-body strength and technique that helps him bulldoze offensive tackles. The Bears could use offensive lineman, but they could also use a second edge rusher to pair with Montez Sweat.

Malaki Starks, 16th overall, Seattle Seahawks

Starks would fit perfectly in former Georgia assistant Mike McDonald’s system. Starks is a safety with excellent range. He is super effective at reading running gaps and is one of the best tacklers on Georgia’s defense. That could make a Seattle defense that is already 12th in tackling grade, according to PFF, even better.

NFL mock draft: 49ers upgrade most important defensive position with Georgia star

A 2025 mock draft has the 49ers adding pass rush help:

Next year’s NFL draft will be fascinating and extremely important for the San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers are in a transition period with their roster where they’ll need to start finding replacements for some of the veteran stars that have helped carry them for the the last half decade. They need to start hitting on first-round picks and finding some superstars to replenish a roster that has been one of the NFL’s best for the last five years.

Barring a change in defensive philosophy, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they tried to find pass rush help with their first-round choice in the 2025 draft. That’s the exact route they go in a mock draft from Cory Kinnan at Daft on Draft. He has the 49ers snagging Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams with the No. 17 overall pick.

Via Daft on Draft:

Teams are going to love Mykel Williams. Even if he hasn’t hit his max potential at Georgia, and even if he has had some issues staying healthy and on the field. Williams is explosive as hell, built in a lab, and possesses massive 36-inch arms with the bend to win along the outside track as well.

There aren’t many things the 49ers love more than an edge rusher with measurables and high-caliber tools, although the injury issues may scare them off.

Williams in three seasons has played in 33 games, posting 11.0 sacks and 19 tackles for loss. Pro Football Focus credits him with 68 pressures. Perhaps the more notable thing that would make Williams so enticing for San Francisco is that he’s graded out very well as a run defender which would allow him to stay on the field for all three downs – something the 49ers will surely want from a first-round selection. There’s also a chance at Williams’ size that he could also contribute as an interior pass rusher.

There are other needs the 49ers could theoretically address in the first round of next year’s draft, but don’t be surprised if their pick goes toward a high-upside edge rusher like Williams.

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Draft prospects at DE to watch during Week 8 of college football season

Three edge rushers for Packers fans to watch during Week 8 of the college football season.

The Green Bay Packers’ pass rush has lacked juice through the season’s first six weeks. Devonte Wyatt, who has missed the last two games leads the team with three sacks. Keisan Nixon has the same amount of sacks (two) as Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness combined (two).

Before suffering a season-ending knee injury, Detroti’s Aidan Hutchinson recorded 45 pressures (via PFF). Gary, Preston Smith, Van Ness and Kingsley Enagabre have combined to record 28 pressures.

With Green Bay’s pass rush lacking punch and the 2025 NFL Draft 187 days away, let’s take a look at some edge rushers that could be on Brian Gutekunst’s radar.

Brunch Time: 11 a.m. Johnny Walker Jr, Missouri

Walker Jr is a well-rounded defensive end. He’s a solid run defender, who is stout at the point of attack and sets a firm edge. Pair that toughness against the run with his quick first step, and the Missouri edge rusher has the skill set that could make him an attractive Day 3 target as teams look to add depth up front.

Crack a beer: 2:30 p.m.: LT Overton, Alabama

The Texas A&M transfer has recorded 25 pressures in his first six games at Alabama, including a nine-pressure game last week against South Carolina game. Overton has excellent grip strength and the power to plow through blockers. He uses his long frame to help him detach from blocks and has a motor that runs hot.

Nightcap: 6:30 p.m.: Mykel Williams, Georgia

Williams has battled through an ankle injury and has played just 17 snaps the past two weeks. If Williams is able to ramp it up today, he’ll face a tough test against Texas. The Longhorns have a pair of offensive tackles, in Kelvin Banks Jr and Cameron Williams who could wind up being first round picks. At 6-5, 265 pounds, the former five-star recruit has an ideal frame. He’s strong at the point of attack against the run. With his size, quickness and strength, Williams possesses the tools to develop into a disruptive force as a pass rusher.

Georgia’s injury report ahead of game at Alabama

Here are the injury updates on Georgia Bulldogs like London Humphreys, Carson Beck, Mykel Williams, and Tate Ratledge.

Coming into a tradition-based matchup at No. 4 Alabama, the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs have been nicked by the injury bug quite a bit into this matchup. There are some notable players on it, and head coach Kirby Smart will need all the relief he can get for those injuries to improve his record against the Crimson Tide.

Already down guard Tate Ratledge and running back Roderick Robinson, the Bulldogs will also have to deal with wide receiver London Humphreys missing some time with a diagnosis of mononucleosis.

At least for Bulldogs fans, they won’t have to worry about Carson Beck not playing. After Beck suffered an AC sprain in his shoulder in the game against Kentucky, he’s healthy and expected to start.

Unfortunately, Bulldogs fans are still holding their breath on three players: Mykel Williams, Warren Brinson, and Jordan Hall. According to Kirby Smart, “They’re all working to come back. They’re all doing the rehab process, Warren’s (Brinson) really close, he’s out there doing stuff now. Mykel’s (Williams) running, Jordan’s (Hall) running, so we’re hoping to get those guys back.” Mykel Williams is “considered a game-time decision,” according to Pete Thames of ESPN.

Losing all three of those defenders, especially Williams, could be a huge blow, with Alabama’s stalwart offensive linemen all being healthy.

Here’s the full injury report Georgia has brought out before gameday:

Georgia

RB Roderick Robinson II – Out
WR London Humphreys – Out
OL Tate Ratledge – Out
WR Sacovie White – Out
DL Mykel Williams – Questionable
DL Jordan Hall – Questionable
DL Warren Brinson – Probable