Rookies tend to enter the NFL with a lot of hubris, as they should. After years of dominating competition, they’re usually confident they will continue their dominant ways at the highest level. San Francisco 49ers’ first-round pick Mykel Williams is no different. The 11th-overall selection told his new teammate George Kittle that he thinks it’s disrespectful for tight ends to try and block him.
Kittle, who is the best blocking tight end in the NFL, recently detailed this exchange to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco. The star tight end explained that Williams’ comments got him excited for training camp, because the 49ers’ outside zone scheme means Kittle will be tasked with blocking Williams often.
According to the veteran, their matchups are going to be a lot of fun, as he told the rookie, “welcome to the NFL baby. You’re going to see something different on these practices, I promise you that.”
George Kittle is ready to welcome Mykel Williams to the NFL in training camp
This is what it’s all about; competition between two prideful guys who are determined to prove themselves right. Williams is a 6-foot-5, 260-pound defensive end who just dominated the SEC, but he’s encountering a monster in Kittle. The tight end can catch with the best of the tight ends in the league, but what separates him is his ferocious blocking.
Klittle will introduce Williams to that blocking in camp, and he may welcome the rookie to the NFL with some tough love. The first-year defensive end could also prove to be a worthy adversary, and get the best of Kittle. In reality, it will probably be a little bit of both, with the winner switching between reps. That’s typically how it goes down in camp between elite players, with the ultimate goal being everyone getting better.