A mere 20 minutes after trading for running back Kapri Bibbs, the 49ers drafted another player in the same position.
The 49ers traded pick No. 143 and No. 161 to the Colts to take Utah running back Joe Williams in the fourth round.
There were major concerns about Williams coming into the draft because he “retired” for a month in college, walking away from the game of football. It was a different regime, but the 49ers have already seen Chris Borland and Anthony Davis do the same thing. Some draft experts said they took Williams completely off their board for the retirement stunt.
But the talent is there. In in round four, taking chances can pay off. Williams ran for 332 yards in October against a UCLA defense that has had a couple of highly drafted players. He can hit home runs and here’s a fun fact: His running backs coach at Utah was former 49ers coach Dennis Erickson.
STRENGTHS
Plus athlete. Has get-away burst in small spaces. Flashes breakaway speed to take it to the house if he gets up to the safeties. Sudden second gear to turn the corner or accelerate through line of scrimmage. Carries weight in his lower half, allowing for unique contact balance. Able to recover from hits that bring most runners down. Runs feet through initial contact and blows through arm tackles. Makes defenders earn their tackles and is hard to bring down. Can create with wiggle and power. Has lateral shuffle of a basketball player to slink out of traffic jams and escape outside. Can string moves together on second and third levels. Lowers pads to finish runs with momentum.
WEAKNESSES
“Retired” for a month before coming back after Utah running back corps was depleted due to injuries. Questions have arisen about his football character and commitment to the game. Ball security issues are a concern; lost six fumbles over 289 carries at Utah. Needs to press line of scrimmage longer before making his cuts. Will run into traffic that he might be able to avoid. Shows occurrences of hesitation if he doesn’t have a clean point of entry between tackles. Runs a little too tall approaching line of scrimmage. Non-factor as third-down option. Rarely catches passes and not committed to blocking