Since then, the 49ers' defense has been hit hard by injuries, with Bosa lost for the season and Huff sidelined by a hamstring issue. The pass rush has struggled overall, totaling just nine sacks through eight games—only the Jacksonville Jaguars have fewer, with eight.
In Sunday's 26-15 loss to the Houston Texans, San Francisco failed to record a sack for the second time this season. According to Pro Football Reference, the 49ers' defensive line ranks last in the NFL in total pressures (31) and pressure rate (10.5%).
Williams has recorded just one sack, which came in Week 6. His 52.8 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus ranks No. 25 among rookie defensive linemen, showing room for growth.
NFL insider Brian Baldinger joined Bay Area radio station 95.7 The Game on Tuesday and shared his evaluation of the rookie defensive lineman.
"He doesn't look like he's got the takeoff you need to win on the edge," Baldinger said. "He almost looks like he would be better inside in a three-technique where he can use his size, and length, and his strength better than he does on the outside right now. That's what it looks like to me."
Baldinger noted that his analysis is based solely on game tape, as he doesn't have the benefit of observing practice, and that Williams may need time to develop before reaching his full potential.
"It's a slow process. He's got a good coach," Baldinger continued. "But I don't see the first-step quickness that you need in order to be a feared pass rusher at this point. Now, it's early. The big thing is, honestly, for any of these pass rushers, especially if Mykel is on the outside, is two things. One, takeoff. Work on it every day. Takeoff.
"And then, two, get your hands on these guys, and then from there, figure out—because the ball can be gone in two seconds, and he could also be holding the ball. So, if they're holding it because it's play-action or because it's third-and-13, have a plan to get to the edge and start collapsing the pocket. And I don't really see a plan from these guys yet."
While Williams has yet to make a significant impact in his rookie season, there remains hope that he can still become a key contributor in San Francisco's pass rush for years to come.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers' Mykel Williams among NFL's second-year players facing the most pressure
For the San Francisco 49ers, the defensive front was once a strength of the team, consistently disrupting opposing quarterbacks and overwhelming offensive lines. That wasn't the case last season, however, as the unit recorded just 20 sacks—the fewest in the NFL. Determined... -
Graziano weighs in on 49ers QB Brock Purdy's ESPN ranking snub
The debate over where Brock Purdy ranks among the NFL's elite quarterbacks intensified this week after the San Francisco 49ers signal-caller was left out of ESPN's top-10 quarterback rankings, which were compiled using feedback from NFL executives, coaches, and scouts. Despite... -
Where 49ers' Trent Williams landed in ESPN's offensive tackle rankings
San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams is under contract through the 2027 season and has acknowledged that this will likely be the final deal of his NFL career. If that's the case, the 49ers can expect at least two more seasons of elite blindside protection for... -
49ers and Brandon Aiyuk: The drama has become repetitive
When he became the starter during his rookie year, quarterback Brock Purdy was consistently referred to by his draft-day moniker, "Mr. Irrelevant." As the Niners won and continued to win while he was the starter, reporters used the same phrase over and over again—that Purdy...