SANTA CLARA – No. 98 crouched low into his pass-rush stance, dug his fingertips into his new home’s pristine grass, then grunted as he blasted toward the tackling dummies.
One such “dummy” was a pad-protcted staff member who got decleated and upended.
Friday marked defensive end Mykel Williams’ first practice in a 49ers’ uniform, albeit a rookie minicamp featuring more guys trying out (30) than those signed or drafted (21).
Robert Saleh, in his first practice back as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, quietly observed with a look of approval a few yards behind Williams. By virtue of Williams’ pedigree as the No. 11 overall draft pick, he indeed looked like the best player on the field, and he looked comfortable with that stature while casually grooving to the DJ’s music.
Williams is the key element to the 49ers’ overhauled defensive line, and that unit changed even more on Friday when 2022 top pick Drake Jackson got waived with a failed physical designation. Williams hasn’t played since tearing a patellar tendon midway through the 2023 season.
San Francisco 49ers’ Mykel Williams (98) trains during a practice at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, May 9, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)While the defensive line worked on its own in Friday’s hour-long drills, second-round draft pick Alfred Collins was strictly an observer due to an apparent calf issue, though he did engage and support his new teammates. “I’m going to be alright,” Collins said Thursday about his health.
Fellow defensive tackle C.J. West worked into the mix with his compact frame (6-foot-1, 315 pounds). That rookie trio of Williams, Collins and West arrived among the 49ers’ first five draft picks two weeks ago, so this minicamp was their first exposure not only to the 49ers’ drills but also their first taste of defensive line coach Kris Kocurek’s high-octane vocal commands.
“No expectations right now. They’ve got a long way to go with regards to understanding what we do,” Saleh said. “One, the standard at which we play, and the style of ball that we expect them to play. And then on top of that, you’ve got the scheme and understanding all the nuance that we’re going to ask out of them.”
INSIDE TANDEM
West (fourth round) had no trouble spotting Collins (second round) upon arriving Thursday at San Jose’s Mineta International Airport. “It’s kind of hard to miss him. He’s huge,” West said of Collins (6-foot-5, 332 pounds). “I recognized him right away and said, ‘That’s my new teammate so I’ve got to make a bond and do everything I can so we can succeed.’ ”
Collins, in turn, spotted West – “He stands out, too” – and envisioned them forming a top-notch tandem. “He’s ready to work, ready to be one of the greats. I can’t wait to work with him,” Collins said. “I’m going to work. Looks like he’s going to work. I’m excited to see where it goes.”
Collins, who boasts an uncanny resemblance to cousin and former 49ers offensive tackle Trent Brown, wants to prove himself as versatile as long-time NFL veteran Calais Campbell. “I like how he plays everywhere on the field and how he attacks his work to be great,” Collins added.
GOLD JACKET GOAL
Junior Bergen’s dream scenario for his career extends far beyond just making the 49ers as a return specialist out of Montana. “I want to be in the (Pro Football) Hall of Fame. That’s been my goal since I was a kid, no matter where that’s at on the field,” Bergen said. “My dad, when we were working out when I was younger, we were always talking about gold jackets. That’s what I’m going to work to and try to get there.”
Bergen rounded out the 49ers’ 11-man draft class as a potential punt returner drafted No. 252 overall, which is 11 spots higher than Brock Purdy’s slot in 2022, to which Bergen said: “There’ve been plenty of guys in the league who’ve created their own niche. One is a starting quarterback for us. It’s possible for anybody.”
LINEBACKER’S COVER
Don’t let Nick Martin’s affinity for wearing fluffy animal-themed slippers fool you into thinking he’s a softy at linebacker. More symbolic may be the dagger tattoo on his left forearm. “When I put on that helmet in the equipment room, I got chills and I was ready to go, but in due time,” said Martin, who hasn’t been able to tackle anyone since a knee injury last Sept. 28.
Martin regaled reporters with how he grew up boxing his three older brothers, one of whom stands 6-foot-5 while the others check in closer to his height of 5-11.
Martin’s battle now is to replicate Dre Greenlaw’s ability to pair with Fred Warner. “They’re always looking to punish the guy with the ball. I appreciate that about their game and how they play together. It’s real cool to see,” Martin said. “You play the game with that reckless abandon and that controlled aggression. You play for the guy next to you. That was all over the field the way they played.”
At rookie minicamp, the linebackers auditioning might have the best opportunity to win a job and fill a depleted unit, those being Tristan Sinclair (Stanford), Michael Moore (Alabama-Birmingham) and Ty Frenh (West Virginia).
San Francisco 49ers’ Upton Stout (20) trains during practice at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, May 9, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)TRADEMARK TIME?
Arguably no draft pick ever has been more vocal about getting his career started than cornerback Upton Stout, who repeatedly hollered “Let’s Do It, Coach!” to the 49ers’ brass in his draft-day phone call. Stout is too busy studying film and the playbook to go out and trademark this coming season’s catchphrase. “Nah, nah. It was just something I said during that time. It wasn’t a phrase,” Stout said. “I was just excited to get to work. In the future, once I handle things, maybe that will be in play.”
IOWA INSPIRATION
Offensive lineman Connor Colby, a seventh-round pick and No. 249 overall, shared how his alma mater Iowa views George Kittle’s legacy there: “Coach (Kirk) Ferentz always talks about successful stories like his, just a later-round draft pick (2017 fifth round) and turning it into what he is now. There’s a lot of guys in Iowa’s history that have done that.” Kittle, however, might be Iowa’s best late-round product as he’s become the 49ers’ most prolific tight end over eight seasons, although Merton Hanks was a 1991 fifth-round pick and four-time Pro Bowler who started on the 49ers’ most recent Super Bowl-winning team in 1994.
San Francisco 49ers’ Isaiah Neyor (14) runs during practice at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, May 9, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)DEEP THREAT
Isaiah Neyor, one of six undrafted free agents the 49ers’ signed last week, appears to be the leading candidate to run deep routes the next few months. After treating a lower-leg issue early in Friday’s session, he made a downfield grab along the sideline, a route similar to those Danny Gray used to run in his short tenure. Neyor said he grew up trying to emulate Dez Bryant.
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O-LINE ADDITIONS
The 49ers’ transactions Friday included the addition of veteran offensive linemen Andre Dillard and Nicholas Petit-Frere, as well as cornerback Dallis Flowers. Dillard was a 2019 first-round pick and has started 19 of the 69 games he’s played with the Eagles (2019-22), Titans (2023) and Packers (2024). Petit-Frere was a 2018 Ohio State teammate of Nick Bosa’s before playing the past three years with the Titans (2022-24). Also waived Friday were offensive lineman Jalen McKenzie and cornerback Tre Tomlinson (injured).
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