No. 1: Running Back Joe Williams
Jerick McKinnon will be the 49ers’ No. 1 running back in 2018. And entering training camp, most would have thought second-year pro Matt Breida would be No. 2. After spending his own rookie season on injured reserve, and after struggling in camp a year ago with fumbling issues, former Utah tailback Joe Williams was going to be on the outside, looking in.
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Not so fast, though.
Williams has emerged as one of the better runners in training camp so far, flashing the speed and elusiveness that made him a standout at Utah.
For starters, Williams trimmed his weight down from 216 pounds to 205 in preparation for this season. That should help with his speed and agility.
The San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch described one particular play last week where these traits were more than evident:
"He flashed through a hole and reached a gear few possess sprinting down the left sideline. It was so quickly clear no defender would catch him that offensive line coach John Benton prematurely raised his arms to signal a would-be 80-yard touchdown."
Breida has impressed too, so Williams isn’t exactly in prime position to secure a roster spot. What he is doing, however, is making the inevitable choice between he and Breida a difficult one.
And at this point, that’s all Williams can do.