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San Francisco 49ers: Predicting each rookie’s role, impact after 2017 NFL Draft

By James LeBreton

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Solomon Thomas (Stanford) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (right) as he is selected as the number 3 overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Solomon Thomas (Stanford) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (right) as he is selected as the number 3 overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 29, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes running back Joe Williams (28) runs with the ball during the first half against the Washington Huskies at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Washington won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes running back Joe Williams (28) runs with the ball during the first half against the Washington Huskies at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Washington won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 4, Pick 121: Joe Williams

Carlos Hyde is in a lot of trouble. Not because the team signed Tim Hightower, or because they traded for Kapri Bibbs during the draft. Having a platoon of running backs is the normal Shanahan thing to do.

The reason that Hyde should kick it into high gear is because the 49ers drafted Joe Williams. Last year, the former Ute ran for over 1400 yards and averaged 6.7 yards-per-carry. He also knows how to get small and escape through blocks. However, his biggest asset yet is his speed, once he reaches the open field he’s as good as gone. Last year alone, Williams posted 22 runs of 15 yards or more.

Being the first to sign his rookie contract just shows that he’s all business, and can’t wait to compete.

Although he is coming into a system that operates with multiple running backs, Williams is capable of handling a heavy workload. In 2016, he averaged just over 27 carries-per-game through his last seven games of the season.

In free agency, the 49ers have done their due diligence to upgrade the offensive line, and they signed one of the best fullbacks in the game in Juszczyk.

The stage is set for one of these young running backs to pull ahead of the rest of the pack. Joe Williams is definitely capable of being that running back. He could easily run away with the starting job, but realistically he’ll see 30% of the workload.

Prediction: Platoon RB

Next: George Kittle