Niner Noise
FanSided

Predicting the 49ers running back depth chart in 2017

By Logan Stanley

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 11: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball against the New York Jets during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 11: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball against the New York Jets during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 28: Joe Williams #28 of the Utah Utes is tackled by Tyler Green #3 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the Foster Farms Bowl game at Levi’s Stadium on December 28, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 28: Joe Williams #28 of the Utah Utes is tackled by Tyler Green #3 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the Foster Farms Bowl game at Levi’s Stadium on December 28, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Joe Williams

I think initially this slot will be more of a rotation between Williams and Hightower. But as the season progresses, I see Williams taking overtaking the No. 2 spot to make it fully his own. Clearly, this is a guy that’s liked by the team. We know from Peter King’s reporting that Williams was off the 49ers draft board, and it was Shanahan who convinced Lynch to select the running back from Utah.

So far, the reviews have been positive. This, from Matt Barrows at the Sacramento Bee:

"On Williams, [running back coach Bobby] Turner said: He has the tools, the qualities of other players who have worked well in the system. He’s hungry, he has the physical tools, he has the foot speed, the quickness, and when it comes down to it, the mental toughness."

One analyst, The Ringer’s Michael Lombardi, even declared Williams as one of the best zone-runners in the draft. That ability is going to come in handy when he’s instilled into Shanahan’s offense.