Joe Williams highlights: San Francisco 49ers breakout rookie?

The San Francisco 49ers drafted a very interesting running back in Joe Williams, a former Utah star who had an interesting road to the NFL…

The San Francisco 49ers needed playmakers for their offense going into the 2017 NFL Draft. Heck, they needed a lot more than just that, but getting some guys that could provide ‘instant offense’ so to speak was of paramount importance. That’s why they used a fourth round selection on Utah running back Joe Williams.

Williams has ‘see ya’ speed. He ran a 4.41 second 40-yard dash at the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine, and that type of blazing speed really shows up when you watch Williams play. He averaged nearly seven yards per carry this past season at Utah behind a great offensive line, but really showed he has the ability to create, especially in space.

The road to the NFL wasn’t easy for Williams. He started off at Connecticut and was dismissed from the team after a theft incident. He was a junior college All-American and committed to Utah in 2015.

After playing the role of backup to future NFL running back (and fellow fourth round pick) Devontae Booker, Williams entered his final collegiate season as the unquestioned starter at running back.

Two games into the season, he announced he was retiring from the game of football. That certainly was a shocker, but after injuries plagued the Utah running back position, Williams was called back and he decided to return to the Utes.

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At that point, he was dominant.

Williams ran for 1,407 yards and 10 touchdowns in just nine games.

Now, he’s been drafted by John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan, and will be coached in San Francisco by one of the best running backs coaches in the history of the league in Bobby Turner. Turner was a long-time coach for the Denver Broncos, who used to crank out 1,000 yard backs like it was nothing.

I don’t know if Williams will see enough of the field this year to get 1,000 yards, but there’s been some talk that he’s already a candidate to take Carlos Hyde’s job. As we know, the Niners struggled at the RB position last year injury wise.

Williams is an exciting player and the 49ers obviously felt comfortable with his off-field situation to draft him two or three rounds higher than some thought he would go. Because of the faith they have put in him, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him be a breakout rookie and start making big plays right away.

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