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As the 2025 NFL Draft inches closer, Green Bay Packers fans are once again looking toward the edge defender class — and one name that’s climbing into the conversation is Georgia’s Mykel Williams. With Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness expected to be the starting duo in Jeff Hafley’s reworked defense, it’s worth wondering: what does Williams offer that’s different from what the Packers already have in Van Ness?

At first glance, the two players share more similarities than differences. Both are long, physically gifted edge defenders with prototypical NFL size. Van Ness came into the league as a 6’5″, 272-pound specimen with elite testing numbers and a reputation for powerful, disruptive play. Williams mirrors that build at 6’5″, 260 pounds with similarly long arms and a broad tackle radius. But the nuance in how they play the position is where the comparison gets interesting.

Van Ness was drafted largely for his raw power and high motor — a player whose physicality and relentlessness made him disruptive even without a polished technique. He flashed plenty of promise in his rookie year, particularly in early downs, showing the ability to compress the pocket and set a solid edge. However, his run defense was often based on effort and strength rather than refinement.

Williams, on the other hand, shows a more nuanced understanding of the run game at this stage of his development. While he also plays with physicality, he’s more controlled and intentional. He uses his length to create separation from blockers and has shown the ability to stack and shed with consistency. His ability to diagnose plays and take on blocks with discipline gives him a high floor as a run defender — something the Packers could immediately plug into their rotation without a steep learning curve.

This is where the difference really crystallizes. Van Ness was a classic “tools over tape” pick — a player with immense upside but limited production at Iowa due to a rotational role and undeveloped pass rush repertoire. In the NFL, that potential has shown in flashes, but consistency remains the hurdle.

Williams is also in that “traits-first” mold when it comes to rushing the passer. He wins primarily with power and length, often looking to bully offensive tackles rather than outsmart them. Like Van Ness, he doesn’t yet have a go-to move, nor a full menu of counters. But Williams’ initial quickness and ability to convert speed to power give him a dangerous base to build on.

Where Williams distinguishes himself is his flexibility. Georgia deployed him in both wide and reduced alignments, and while his success inside was limited by lateral agility, it speaks to a willingness to be versatile. The upside here is the possibility of molding him into a player who can attack from multiple spots — something Van Ness hasn’t quite unlocked yet.

Mental Traits and Developmental Curve

Van Ness came into the league needing significant refinement — not unusual for young pass rushers. Year two will be crucial for his growth, as Hafley’s system places a premium on both run discipline and pass-rushing efficiency.

Williams, while still very raw in his pass rush, has shown flashes of high-level awareness on the field. He processes plays quickly and shows a nose for finding the football, even when not directly involved in the action. That football IQ could allow him to adapt quicker to the NFL than Van Ness, who came in with less experience and nuance.

If the Packers were to add Mykel Williams to the room, it wouldn’t be because Van Ness failed. It would be about depth, versatility, and maximizing the defense’s physicality. Gary is the top dog. Van Ness is a developing complement. Williams would be a tone-setter on early downs and a potential three-down player with coaching and time.

Both players offer tantalizing upside — but Williams brings a more refined run defense and a style that could complement, rather than duplicate, Van Ness’s skillset. The floor is safer. The ceiling? Potentially just as high.

For Brian Gutekunst, it might not be about choosing one or the other — but rather, building a dominant, interchangeable rotation. And if the Bulldogs-to-Packers pipeline continues, don’t be surprised if Mykel Williams becomes the next piece of the puzzle.