Mykel Williams — NFL Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

This defense needs help at multiple spots. Williams and 2024 first-rounder Darius Robinson could be a strong duo for Jonathan Gannon's unit to build around.

Chase Young is scheduled to hit free agency in a few months. New Orleans does not yet have a head coach so it is unclear which direction the organization will take in the future, but Mykel Williams is a good, young talent to develop.

Adding a difference maker on the defensive front will help Derrick Brown and Co. impose their will on opponents.

Chase Young and Payton Turner are free agents and Cameron Jordan is on the back nine of his career. Williams' length and tools gives him one of the highest upsides of any player in this draft class. He still needs time to tap into that upside, but there were strong glimpses and stretches this season after Williams returned from an ankle injury. On a Saints franchise without a head coach and with holes and decisions to make at essentially every position, Williams will almost certainly get the playing time to hone his talent.

Production has not matched talent to this point, but Williams has top-five traits — not unlike former Georgia (and current Jacksonville) standout Travon Walker, who was the No. 1 pick in 2022. Williams is a projection as much as anything right now, but if he tests off the charts, he might not make it this far.

The Saints have used top-40 picks on edge defenders Payton Turner (five sacks in 31 career games) and Isaiah Foskey (zero sacks in 27 games). Williams pass-rush production has been underwhelming, but he is an outstanding run defender. The former five-star recruit has the traits — size, length, strength and athleticism — to develop into a better pass rusher at the next level.

Dallas has several needs that need to be addressed. The offensive line may be in flux (again), the wide receiver room needs another threat and the life the team showed in the run game with Rico Dowdle is promising — but how trustworthy is it to plan on that group again? But don't sleep on the need on the edge, where Demarcus Lawrence and Chauncey Golston are expiring contracts and Sam Williams missed the whole season with a knee injury. Mykel Williams is a total freak of an athlete who boasts the power that should allow him to collapse tackles and create consistent disruption up front.

The Saints continue to add young, athletic players to their defensive front. Williams played hurt all season long, but his tools are exceptional.

This is another team with quarterback questions, but regardless of Aaron Rodgers' future, the Jets might focus instead on the other side of the ball in Round 1. I'm getting the sense that Williams will get drafted higher than most expect -- he's No. 12 on my board -- and he could give New York more presence off the edge. He needs coaching (Aaron Glenn would be great for his development if the Jets hire him) and has room to grow with his pass-rush technique. But I see the potential for 10-12 sacks per season here.

Williams reminds me of another former Georgia edge rusher who didn't have the college stats but absolutely had the talent: Travon Walker. So while five sacks -- Williams did miss time with an ankle injury -- might make you pause, know that he looks the part and has the traits to be a force in the NFL.