Dallas Cowboys 2025 draft scouting report: DE Mykel Williams

We proceed our 2025 NFL Draft preview of draft prospects that might curiosity the Dallas Cowboys. Immediately we’re taking a look at defensive finish Mykel Williams from Georgia.

Mykel Williams

DEGeorgia BulldogsJunior5-star recruit 6’5”265 lbs

Photograph by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos

Historical past

Mykel Williams was born on June 29, 2004 and grew up in Columbus, Georgia, a metropolis the place soccer holds a deep cultural significance. He attended Hardaway Excessive Faculty, the place his expertise on the sector rapidly made him an area star. Throughout his highschool profession, he showcased distinctive athleticism and energy, incomes him a repute as one of many prime recruits within the nation.

Williams grew to become a five-star prospect on account of his nice highschool efficiency. He dedicated to USC initially, however in October he flipped his dedication to remain nearer to house and play for the College of Georgia, changing into the highest-rated recruit of their 2022 class.

At Georgia, Williams wasted no time making an affect. As a real freshman in 2022, he contributed to the Bulldogs’ nationwide championship win and earned a spot on the SEC All-Freshman group. He had 28 complete tackles, 5 sacks, and 7 tackles for loss whereas taking part in a number of positions alongside the defensive entrance. Georgia head coach Kirby Good highlighted Williams’ relentless drive and potential to be a dominant drive in his first season taking part in for Georgia.

In 2023, Williams continued to solidify his repute as a key contributor to the Georgia Bulldogs’ protection. Taking part in primarily as a defensive finish, he appeared in all 14 video games, recording 18 complete tackles, together with seven for loss, and including 5 sacks. Regardless of not placing up gaudy stats, his presence helped anchor a stout Georgia protection that completed the season ranked among the many nation’s finest, going 13-1 and profitable the Orange Bowl. Williams’ efficiency earned him recognition as a rising star, setting the stage for a fair greater function in 2024.

Within the 2024 season, Williams additional established himself as a significant piece of the Georgia Bulldogs’ protection, regardless of battling a major ankle harm that impacted his availability and efficiency. As a junior, he performed in 11 video games, recording 21 complete tackles, together with a team-high 9 tackles for loss and 5 sacks. His season was hampered by a Grade 2 left ankle sprain suffered within the opener in opposition to Clemson, inflicting him to overlook two video games. Regardless of this, Williams showcased his versatility and resilience, contributing in key moments just like the SEC Championship win over Texas, the place he logged two tackles for loss and two sacks.

2024 Statistics

402 Defensive Snaps26 Whole Pressures5 Sacks21 Whole Tackles9 TFL2 Go Breakups2 Compelled Fumbles 2 Penalties

NFL Mix/Professional Day
TBC
Awards

Second Staff All-SEC (2024)Second Staff All-SEC (2023)Freshman All-SEC Staff (2022)

Scorecard

General- 87.7Speed- 82Acceleration- 90Agility- 79Strength- 89Pass Rush- 82Run Cease- 89Tackling- 80Discipline- 96

THE GOOD

Williams boasts a prototypical body for an NFL edge rusher—lengthy arms, wonderful measurement, and a strong decrease physique.
His mix of size, energy, and fluidity makes him a nightmare to dam one-on-one.
He strikes with uncommon agility and twitch for a 265-pounder. His first step off the road is fast, and he reveals stunning bend across the edge.
He’s a brick wall in opposition to the run, utilizing his energy to set the sting and his lengthy arms to maintain blockers at bay.
He persistently sheds blocks with violent hand utilization and pursues with a excessive motor.
Has insane versatility, taking part in from a 3-technique to a wide-9, and at the same time as a stand-up rusher from the 2-point. He’s snug along with his hand within the filth or taking part in in house, giving him scheme flexibility on the subsequent stage.
His bull rush is a weapon, as he can collapse the pocket by driving blockers again with sheer energy.

THE BAD

Whereas athleticism carries him, Williams lacks a refined arsenal of go rush strikes. He leans closely on energy and pace relatively than counters or technical finesse.
Williams by no means performed a full-time set of reps in a season. This leaves some uncertainty about his stamina and consistency over a full NFL workload.
His response to the snap will be inconsistent.
If he loses the benefit that his athleticism offers his go rush stalls, particularly in opposition to faster tackles.
Regardless of flashes of dominance his sack and TFL totals don’t match his elite traits, partly because of rotation and harm.

THE FIT

Mykel Williams ceiling is that of a Professional Bowl-caliber edge rusher if he refines his pass-rush strikes and stays wholesome. Nevertheless, his ground is a rotational piece if technical progress stalls.

He has immense potential however must refine a number of areas to maximise his NFL affect. His pass-rush arsenal is underdeveloped, relying too closely on uncooked energy and pace with out constant counters or a refined plan, which savvier offensive tackles will neutralize. His get-off on the snap will be inconsistent, costing him the sting in opposition to faster opponents when his timing isn’t sharp. Moreover, he’ll must show he can deal with a full workload after restricted snap counts at Georgia. Growing technical finesse and sustaining well being will likely be key to unlocking his elite ceiling.

Williams could possibly be a wonderful match for the Dallas Cowboys the place he would slot in on the defensive finish rotation. His capacity to set the sting in opposition to the run aligns with Dallas’ must shore up a run protection that ranked twenty ninth in rush-yards allowed (137 yards per recreation) in 2024. Williams’ power-based go rush and untapped athleticism might thrive in Dallas, probably boosting his sack totals alongside Parsons’ strain.

Nevertheless, his rawness may require endurance, however Dallas’ observe document of growing defensive position expertise (Parsons, Osa Odighizuwa, Lawrence) suggests they may refine his pass-rush strikes. If drafted within the first spherical by Dallas, he’d tackle a long-term want whereas including upside to a defensive position that lacks depth and is in determined want of retooling.

COMPARISON

Travon Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars

BTB GRADE

twenty second

CONSENSUS RANKING

tenth(Consensus rating primarily based on the common rating from 90 main scoring companies, together with BTB)