49ers: Running back Joe Williams has a lot riding on 2018 training camp

San Francisco 49ers running back Joe Williams never saw the field in regular-season action last year, and he has a lot riding on his offseason efforts in 2018.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan wanted former Utah running back Joe Williams in the 2017 NFL Draft.

The only problem was general manager John Lynch didn’t.

“I was like, ‘uh uh — not interested,’” Lynch said of Williams after last year’s draft, via Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Lynch’s concerns, of course, centered around Williams being dismissed from Connecticut’s program and then taking a break from action while at Utah.

“He’s got to beat guys out. In order to beat guys out you got to be better than them – better than them at running the ball, better than them at protecting it.” – Kyle Shanahan on Joe Williams

Lynch changed his mind, subsequently taking Williams in Round 4 that year. But if immediate hindsight is correct, that pick might have been better spent elsewhere.

Despite some moments of promise, Williams struggled with consistency and fumbles during his first training camp and preseason. Those, combined with an ankle injury, forced the Niners to place him on injured reserve before announcing their 53-man roster.

Entering year two of his pro career, Williams is already behind the curve. The 49ers received solid production from undrafted free-agent runner Matt Breida last year, and he looks to have carved out a key backup spot behind 2018 free-agent pickup, Jerick McKinnon.

With special teams ace Raheem Mostert back on a one-year tender, room for yet another runner on the 2018 roster is limited at best.

Especially if the Niners tab yet another tailback in what looks to be a very deep NFL Draft class at the position.

Kyle Shanahan on Joe Williams

Shanahan’s analytical approach leaves little room for underperformers, and the head coach was quick to point out what Williams has to do this offseason.

Here’s what Shanahan had to say, courtesy of the Niners Wire’s Chris Biderman:

"I expect him to turn up his urgency level this year. I talked to him about that. He says he has and I’m looking forward to seeing it.He’s got to beat guys out. In order to beat guys out you got to be better than them – better than them at running the ball, better than them at protecting it. And if you’re not, you got to be better than them at special teams. So you end up keeping three, sometimes four running backs."

McKinnon is the clear-cut starter for Shanahan’s 49ers this year. There’s little chance Williams overtakes the veteran for that role.

So, in order to carve out a spot, Williams will have to prove himself better than Mostert (as a runner and on special teams). And, at best, show he’s a better option than Breida.

Again, not an easy proposition.

After a disappointing start to his pro career, Williams’ last shot with the 49ers — perhaps with the league — will be to have a stellar training camp and preseason.

Next: Breaking down 49ers' running back depth chart for 2018

He swung and missed last year. All he and the Niners can hope for is for him not to repeat such in 2018.

49ers’ Joe Williams has a lot riding on his 2018 training camp efforts

By Peter Panacy | Apr 1, 2018

San Francisco 49ers running back Joe Williams never saw the field in regular-season action last year, and he has a lot riding on his offseason efforts in 2018.

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Kyle Shanahan on Joe Williams