San Francisco 49ers: 5 under-the-radar players you should watch in training camp

With the San Francisco 49ers kicking off 2018 training camp this week, a lot of focus will be on big-name players like quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. But keep an eye on these five under-the-radar players too.

The San Francisco 49ers officially started their 2018 training camp on Wednesday, and the first set of on-field practices take place today.

Naturally, the biggest focus will be on the household names — guys like quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, cornerback Richard Sherman and linebacker Reuben Foster. And even those not necessarily well known in the national spotlight — running back Jerick McKinnon, safety Adrian Colbert and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon — will still garner plenty of attention from the ranks of the Niners Faithful.

There’s one thing all those players, and others, have in common. They all have roles locked up for 2018. Training camp will merely be about getting them ready for the upcoming season.

But camp is equally important for players on the fringes of the roster too. Less-known players are looking to find a niche on the depth chart and, in many cases, just a way to make it through the final cut.

That’s the focus of this slideshow.

Here are five under-the-radar players you’ll want to watch this training camp and why.

No. 5: Running Back Joe Williams

Utah’s Joe Williams was the first running back head coach Kyle Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner selected to the 49ers a year ago, and both coaches have a knack for finding mid-to-late-round talent in the NFL Draft at this position.

But a poorish effort in training camp a year ago, marked by problems with ball security and an ankle injury, led to Williams’ landing on injured reserve, essentially redshirting him for his rookie campaign.

Shanahan, per Niners Wire’s Chris Biderman, admitted Williams needed to “turn up his urgency level” in this year’s camp.

It won’t be easy. Williams won’t beat out McKinnon. But he will have a shot at taking the No. 2 job from 2017 standout, Matt Breida, as well as special teams ace Raheem Mostert.

Williams’ speed and elusiveness are traits that could make him a dangerous runner at the NFL level. But as long as ball security is an issue, Williams will have an uphill battle to deal with between now and Week 1.

As such, he’s a player to keep an eye on during camp.