Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers training camp bubble watch: 5 players who have improved their stock

By Peter Panacy

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 11: Running back Joe Williams #32 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball during the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 11: Running back Joe Williams #32 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball during the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 31: Ryan Carrethers #90 of the Los Angeles Chargers tries to tackle Joe Williams #32 of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 31: Ryan Carrethers #90 of the Los Angeles Chargers tries to tackle Joe Williams #32 of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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.

More from Niner Noise

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.

Next. 5 49ers who need a strong training camp in 2018. dark

And at this point, that’s all Williams can do.