Could Mykel Williams Be the Next Georgia Bulldog to Join the Packers?
If you’ve been following the Packers’ draft habits closely, you’ve probably noticed a trend that’s hard to miss: Green Bay loves them some Georgia Bulldogs—especially on defense. Since 2021, Brian Gutekunst has gone back to the Georgia well four times, and three of those picks were in the first round. So if you're placing bets on who the Packers might scoop up in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, don’t be shocked if another Bulldog is heading north to Lambeau.
Let’s talk about Mykel Williams, the latest Dawg making noise and a legit prospect on the Packers' radar. Ranked No. 7 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown, Williams brings a mix of size, power, and raw potential that you don’t often find bundled in one package.
🔥 The Measurables That Jump Off the Page
Williams stands at 6'5", weighs in around 260 pounds, and boasts 34-inch arms. Yeah, you read that right—those vines give him a monster reach advantage, which he uses to shed blocks and stay clean in run defense. Physically, he checks every box you want in an NFL edge rusher. He looks the part and plays like he knows it.
This guy isn’t just a pass rusher either—he’s NFL-ready against the run, and that’s not something you can say about every draft prospect. He plays with discipline, sets the edge well, and has the awareness to diagnose plays quickly.
🐶 The Georgia Resume
A five-star recruit and Georgia native, Williams was a hot name even before he ever suited up in Athens. He made an early splash with 6.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks during his freshman season. Interestingly, in 2023, he posted identical numbers—consistency anyone?
Last season was a bit of a rollercoaster, though. Williams was hampered by an ankle injury that caused him to miss two games. Despite the setback, he still managed to rack up 8.5 tackles for loss and 5 sacks. He showed grit, pushing through injury and continuing to contribute for one of the nation’s top defenses.
What the Experts Are Saying
Devin Jackson, a respected NFL Draft analyst from The Philadelphia Inquirer, is high on Williams' upside—especially as a run defender.
"He utilizes his length and initial quickness to win in multiple ways... Williams is a brawler. He embraces contact at the line of scrimmage, uses full extension to create separation, and knows how to collapse linemen to shut down holes."
That’s high praise, especially from someone who studies tape for a living.
Where He Needs to Grow
Now, let’s be real: Williams isn’t a finished product. As of now, he’s more athlete than technician in the pass rush game. He has a powerful get-off and wins a lot with his natural tools—long arms, burst, and strength—but there’s work to be done when it comes to developing a full pass rush toolkit.
His go-to move right now? Bulldozing offensive tackles. It’s effective in college, but NFL linemen are a different breed. He’ll need to refine some finesse and create secondary moves—counters, spins, hand swipes, you name it.
Jackson summed it up like this:
“Right now, it’s all athlete for Williams... He shows potential as a speed-to-power rusher, but needs to develop a consistent go-to move to win at the next level.”
📌 Packer Fit: Why This Makes Too Much Sense
As it stands, Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness are expected to headline the edge group under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Gary is coming off an inconsistent season but is still seen as a centerpiece. Van Ness, a first-rounder in 2023, is hoping year three is when everything clicks.
Even if both of those guys take steps forward in 2025, there’s no harm in adding more firepower to the room. And if Mykel Williams is sitting there when the Packers are on the clock? You better believe Gutekunst is going to be tempted.
Williams brings something different to the table—an elite run defender with serious upside as a pass rusher. You don’t find that every day, especially in someone who’s only turning 21 this June. That kind of age, plus his tools, makes him one of the more intriguing developmental prospects in the entire class.
🌟 What’s the Ceiling Here?
Let’s put it this way: the floor is solid, the ceiling is skyscraper-level. At worst, Williams is going to be a stout run defender who can anchor the edge and give your front seven more toughness. But if he figures out how to win more consistently as a pass rusher? Watch out.
He’s got the burst, the power, and the instincts. He just needs a couple more tools in the bag. And once those get added? You're talking about a three-down edge rusher who can wreck games.
And here’s the kicker—teams might regret letting him slip. That kind of potential makes him a high-reward pick with a fairly safe floor. Not every first-round pick gives you that combo.
🎯 Final Thoughts
Brian Gutekunst has already shown a clear willingness to roll the dice on high-upside defenders, especially from Georgia. And while the Packers have their starting edge guys in place, the NFL is all about depth and rotation up front.
If Williams is still available when Green Bay is on the clock, don’t be surprised if they take another big swing on a Bulldog. The pedigree is there. The size is there. The upside is enormous.
Remember the name: Mykel Williams. He might just be the next defender suiting up in green and gold, bulldozing offensive lines on Sundays.
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