49ers have one ESPN analyst's favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year
49ers have one ESPN analyst's favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year
The San Francisco 49ers desperately need to connect on some of their picks from this year's draft. One ESPN analyst thinks they'll do so with at least their first-round pick.
ESPN's Ben Solak went through the rookie of the year candidates on both sides of the ball and came up with his own list that wasn't set by betting odds. While 49ers first-round pick Mykel Williams is third in the BetMGM Defensive Rookie of the Year odds, he lands atop Solak's list ahead of his college teammate and Atlanta Falcons first-round pick Jalon Walker.
Via ESPN:
Neither Williams nor Walker was super productive in college, but both have landed in defenses that can maximize their skill sets. Williams will play under legendary defensive line coach Kris Kocurek, who will free him up to play faster off the line than he ever did at Georgia. Walker will play under coach Raheem Morris, who excelled at featuring a rushing linebacker in Kaden Elliss last season. Williams' play style and role lends itself to a little more pass-rush production than Walker's outlook, as we should expect Walker to spend some time dropping into coverage. As such, I give Williams the edge.
One key to the 49ers' success this season will be the production from their rookies, and particularly from Williams who figures to start at the defensive end spot opposite Nick Bosa. Being good in the run game isn't going to win Williams any awards, though.
If he's winning a DROY it's because he put together an excellent pass-rushing season, which would provide a lift for a group that struggled to affect the quarterback last year. The 49ers need more than one pick to pan out, but a DROY campaign from Williams would be their quickest path to returning to dominance on defense.
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