San Francisco ,Mo – May 12, 2025
San Francisco 49ers fans are buzzing as a Star Edge Rusher storms the 2025 NFL Draft, igniting #49ersFaithful with electrifying hype. After a brutal 6-11 season, John Lynch’s No. 11 pick, a 6-foot-5 Georgia phenom with 8.5 sacks in 2024, edges out Giants’ Abdul Carter for Defensive Rookie of the Year votes, per ESPN. “He’s a sack machine!” roared Pamela Maldonado, ESPN, hyping his explosive power.
Nick Bosa’s 10.5 sacks anchor the 49ers’ pass rush, but Saleh’s return as defensive coordinator turbocharges the rookie’s 91.6 PFF grade, per ESPN. “Williams thrives opposite Bosa,” said Stephania Bell, ESPN, praising his edge-setting run defense. With Fred Warner’s All-Pro blitzes, the Star Edge Rusher faces single blocks, fueling sack totals, Matt Maiocco, NBC Sports Bay Area.
The 49ers’ defense, a dismal 20th allowing 24.3 points per game in 2024, craves disruption. The rookie’s 14 tackles for loss at Georgia and 20 years of age scream breakout potential, Pro Football Focus. His $3.2 million cap hit fits the $22 million cap, strained by Brock Purdy’s $50-60 million extension, OverTheCap.
Risks loom. A 2024 ankle injury dulled his burst, and raw pass-rush moves need polish, Dane Brugler, The Athletic. Carter’s five DROY votes to the rookie’s four signal a tight race, Chad Reuter, NFL.com. Yetur Gross-Matos and Drake Jackson could steal snaps, Tom Pelissero, NFL Network.
Saleh’s 2019 unit, with 48 sacks, sets the bar. Puka Nacua’s cap warning pushes budget stars, Sporting News. If the Star Edge Rusher racks up double-digit sacks, he’ll snag DROY and propel Purdy’s playoff surge, but unrefined technique risks a Giants upset in the NFC West grind, Maiocco, NBC Sports Bay Area.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72128065/1453522285.0.jpg "He Was Called a Bust — Now This Steelers WR Is Embarrassing First-Team Defenders")
