With the 15th pick in the fourth round (121 overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers have selected Utah running back Joe Williams. The 49ers traded a fourth-round pick (143) and fifth-round pick (161) to the Indianapolis Colts and received a fourth-round pick (121) to move up into this spot.
In August of 2013, Williams was suspended for credit card theft and illegal use. He decided to retire from football early in 2016, but following injuries to Utah's running backs, he returned and finished the year in the top 20 nationally with 1,420 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns through nine games. During his second game back, a matchup against UCLA, Williams tallied 332 yards and four touchdowns. He also had 222 yards and a touchdown in a Foster Farms Bowl victory over Indiana.
NFL.com projected that Williams would be selected in rounds 6-7 of the NFL Draft.
Pro Football Focus stats to know: Williams' 22 runs of 15-plus yards were 10th-most in 2016 among draft-eligible running backs despite having the 20th-most rushing attempts.
"Draft grade is affected by some of the character concerns that could preclude his NFL career from taking off. The more tape you watch, the more you become impressed with Williams' ability to keep runs alive that other running backs couldn't. His ability to create yardage for himself is a necessary piece of the puzzle for NFL runners, but his inability to contribute on third downs could hurt his draft stock. Williams has talent as a runner and could fit a roster spot if teams are okay with his background."
"As we saw at the combine, Williams is very quick and displays impressive athleticism. His speed is his greatest asset and he is a threat to score any time he can get into the open field. If he's paired with a very good offensive line and can get to the second level untouched more frequently, his quickness can turn those into huge runs. But he will not be able to overcome poor blocking as he cannot create at the first level on his own and won't be able to utilize his speed. His lack of experience in the passing game initially prevents him from being a third-down back, forcing him into a lesser role as only a change-of-pace back. Teams will also need to consider and Williams will have to have to answer questions about his mid-September retirement and commitment."
Measurables
Height: 5-11
Weight: 210 lbs.
Arm length: 30 3/4 inches
Hand length: 9 3/8 inches
49ers sign 6th-round draft pick Jarrett Kingston to 4-yr, $4.16 million rookie deal
By David Bonilla
May 15
The San Francisco 49ers have reportedly signed former USC offensive lineman Jarrett Kingston to his rookie four-year deal. The team made him a sixth-round draft pick, selecting him 215th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. This leaves wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, the team's first-round selection, as the only unsigned 49ers draft pick.
According to OverTheCap.com, Kingston's four-year contract is worth about $4.16 million. This includes a signing bonus of approximately $138,000 and a 2024 salary-cap hit of about $830,000.
When asked about his pre-draft evaluations, Kingston said, "I feel like I am athletic. I think whatever like the ratings were, but I feel like I'm really athletic. I think my background playing all these different positions, like defensive and tight
49ers reportedly signing DL Shakel Brown after tryout
By David Bonilla
May 13
Shakel Brown was among several players who participated in a tryout in front of coaches during the San Francisco 49ers' rookie minicamp last week. Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports that the team was impressed enough with the defensive lineman to sign him.
Defensive lineman Shakel Brown @TROYUnews signed with #49ers after rookie minicamp tryout per a league source
An Arsenal of Weapons: The 49ers Have Quietly Become Even More Dangerous on Offense in 2024
By Don Atkinson
May 13
It's not a shock to anyone who looks back at the past two NFL seasons to contemplate that the San Francisco 49ers' offense has finally stepped out of the shadow cast by the team's ever-imposing defense. Since their 2019 Super Bowl run, players like Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, and former 49ers Richard Sherman and Jimmie Ward have garnered most of the attention when talking about the team. That was indeed the case until 2022, when future Hall-of-Fame running back Christian McCaffrey, who came to San Francisco in a mid-season trade with the Carolina Panthers, changed the conversation. The 49ers' offense was suddenly seen not just as a semi-capable complement to a sterling defense, but rather as a unit that could put up some points, and in a dramatic way.
With the
49ers will open 2024 season against Jets on Monday Night Football
By David Bonilla
May 14
The full 2024 NFL schedule is set for release tomorrow night. However, the NFL has given fans a sneak peek by unveiling the opener for the San Francisco 49ers. The Bay Area team will host quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets at Levi's Stadium on Monday, September 9, at 5:20 p.m. PT. The game will air on ABC, ESPN, ESPN+, and ESPN Deportes.
Can't. Wait. 🍿🤩 @nyjets-@49ers on Sept. 9 | ABC, ESPN, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes
