Running back, Joe Williams
A lot of pressure is being placed on the shoulders of the former Ute. Not only was Williams outplayed in the 49ers’ last preseason game by Raheem Mostert, but the team signed Alfred Morris.
The second-year back had an opportunity to earn more playing time with Matt Breida out with an injury. However, he only came away with 27 yards on 11 carries and one touchdown. It was an average, at best, performance from a player expected to excel in Shanahan’s system when he was drafted last year.
Unfortunately now, he will need to keep fighting for his spot with the rest of the halfbacks fighting for the third place on the depth chart.
McKinnon is the starting back so he’s safe and the same can go for Breida after what he did in his rookie season for the 49ers.
Alfred Morris is a Shanahan disciple and is very familiar with the offense. His best years are when Shanahan was the offensive coordinator in Washington with Morris in the backfield. He also still has a lot in the tank.
This will mean that Williams needs to beat out the newly-acquired 49ers back as well as Jeremy McNichols and Raheem Mostert. Mostert already is the special teams ace amongst the group, and McNichols even outplayed Williams.
Week two of the preseason is going to be an important one for Joe Williams.
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