49ers training camp 2018: Top 10 takeaways from Week 1
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: Running Back Competition Is Hot
All three of San Francisco’s better-known running backs — Jerick McKinnon, Matt Breida and Joe Williams — have made splashes during training camp.
McKinnon, one of the 49ers’ big free-agent pickups this offseason, is going to assume the No. 1 role, barring injury. The real question is which players back him up this season.
Breida appears to be the favorite, especially after finishing with 645 all-purpose yards in 2017 — third most on that year’s roster. And that trend has continued throughout camp, especially in the receiving game, which is a huge part of Kyle Shanahan’s offense for tailbacks.
It’s very early in camp, obviously, but RB Matt Breida continues to impress in both run and pass game. Breida running hard but also showing more polish as a receiver. Notable that he continued it today with pads on for first time.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) July 28, 2018
Williams, on the other hand, is staring up at a roster spot after being redshirted with an ankle injury last year.
Ball security was an issue Williams dealt with his rookie year in camp. And while he had one during Saturday’s practices, he also burst off a huge 65-yard touchdown run the same day, flashing the explosiveness that led San Francisco to grab him in Round 4 of last year’s NFL Draft.
With Shanahan likely keeping no more than three running backs, Williams will either have to beat out Breida or special teams ace Raheem Mostert to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
It’s still going to be an uphill fight, but at least Williams is showing a bit more of the desperation that was lacking in 2017.