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NFL Rebels: Watkins ‘balling’ for 49ers; Williams a breakout contender in Dallas?

Ben Garrettby:Ben Garrett•06/19/25•

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Ole Miss wide receiver Jordan Watkins (Photo credit: Jordan Watkins/Instagram)

Jordan Watkins was the second Ole Miss wide receiver off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

The San Francisco 49ers selected Watkins with the last pick of the fourth round, No. 138 overall. He played three seasons at Ole Miss and had six 100-yard games, including an historic performance in a win over Arkansas last season. 

Watkins set new Ole Miss records for single-game receiving yards (254) and touchdowns (5). Ole Miss finished with 10 wins or more for the third time in four seasons. Watkins, a one-time transfer from Louisville, was a member of all three teams.

“Jordan Watkins has been balling from day one,” 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy said. “He’s had a lot of explosive plays down the field. [He’s] definitely a rookie that has popped out in front of everybody.”

Ole Miss in April had eight Rebels drafted, the most in the seven-round era (since 1994) and second-most since the AFL-NFL merger (since 1967). 

The Rebels had two first-rounders in Walter Nolen (Arizona Cardinals) and Jaxson Dart (New York Giants). Five were taken in the first three rounds, a program record. Tre Harris was the first wide receiver to go — in the second round to the Los Angeles Chargers. 

Ole Miss since 2021 has produced 28 draftees under sixth-year head coach Lane Kiffin.

“Compact wideout possessing good play strength and average athleticism,” NFL Analyst Lance Zierlen said of Watkins. “Watkins was schemed into favorable downfield opportunities at Ole Miss but is better suited for work as a possession slot receiver in the pros. He lacks speed but does a good job of playing through contact and competing for space.”

Another Kiffin draftee was Sam Williams, a 2022 second-rounder of the Dallas Cowboys. 

Williams, an EDGE, missed all last season after an ACL injury. However, as a rookie, Williams totaled four sacks, 22 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and nine QB hits in 15 games. The year was cut short due to a suspension for a violation of team rules.

Williams could play a major role for the Cowboys in 2025-26. The Dallas defense a year ago was No. 31 in points allowed. If nothing else, Williams certainly has the faith of his teammate and star Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs.

“These young players we’ve got, oh my God,” Diggs said. “My favorite underrated player [is] Sam Williams. He’s like another Micah [Parsons]. I think he might be faster than Micah.”

Ole Miss signed Williams as a 4-star JUCO recruit from Northeast Community College.

He led Ole Miss with six sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss in 2019 and also recorded an interception and forced fumble. 

Williams was suspended for part of the 2020 campaign but still led the Rebels in sacks again (4). He broke out in his final Ole Miss season. Williams had 12.5 sacks — a school record — and 16 tackles for loss. He forced four fumbles. 

Williams was named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press, as well as first-team All-SEC.

“This kid had one of the most productive seasons of anybody in the country,” Kiffin said of Williams at the time. “Really unique skills and you can see the size-speed ratio is off the charts. Hardly anybody ever that size ran at [Williams’ 4.46 40-yard dash] time. 

“I think, put in the right program, he’ll so special things.”

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