Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Predicting rookie stat lines in 2017

By Logan Stanley

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: (L-R) Solomon Thomas of Stanford poses with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked #3 overall by the San Francisco 49ers (from Bears) during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: (L-R) Solomon Thomas of Stanford poses with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked #3 overall by the San Francisco 49ers (from Bears) during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Troy Williams #3 of the Utah Utes hands the ball off Joe Williams #28 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: Quarterback Troy Williams #3 of the Utah Utes hands the ball off Joe Williams #28 during the Foster Farms Bowl game at Levi’s Stadium on December 28, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Running back Joe Williams

If it weren’t for Shanahan, we wouldn’t be talking about Williams here. It took a draft-day convincing, made on Shanahan’s behalf, in order for Williams to be drafted. That’s how much the first-year head coach wanted the running back from Utah. So, we know the head coach has sort of a preference for the player.

We also know the track-record of Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner with late-round rushers. From Alfred Morris to Devonta Freeman, a combination of Shanahan-Turner has produced some phenomenal seasons from running backs. This topic was touched on in a recent article written by Chris Biderman of The Niners Wire.

With Carlos Hyde as the presumed starter, Williams is looking set to battle for backup duties with Tim Hightower. But Hyde’s future in San Francisco isn’t certain, as management has yet to give him a full vote of confidence. A trade, or switch of starters is not entirely out of the question for this season.

But for now, we’ll assume Hyde stays for the duration of his final year of his contract with the team and that Williams is the No. 2 back.

Predictions — 110 rushing attempts, 495 yards, 4.5 yards average, 5 touchdowns, 10 receptions, 75 yards