The San Francisco 49ers are plenty busy right now. A few minutes after trading for Denver Broncos running back Kapri Bibbs, they have moved up in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft to select Utah running back Joe Williams. They traded pick No. 143 in the fourth round and 161 in the fifth round in to the Indianapolis Colts to move into pick No. 121.
Williams joins a backfield that now includes Carlos Hyde, Tim Hightower, DuJuan Harris, Kapri Bibbs, Mike Davis, and Raheem Mostert. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk will get some running back work as well.
NFL.com compares him to Jerick McKinnon and had this analysis:
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.
The character concerns revolve around Williams getting suspended in 2013 for credit card theft and illegal use. In September 2016, he quit football, only to return in October. The reason he stepped away was that he had serious family issues.
1. First round: Solomon Thomas, DL, Stanford
2. First round: Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
3. Third round: Ahkello Witherspoon, CB, Colorado
4. Third round: C.J. Beathard, QB, Iowa
5. Fourth round: Joe Williams, RB, Utah
6. Fifth round: Own - No. 2 (146 overall)
7. Fifth round: Denver Broncos - No. 33 (177 overall)
8. Sixth round: Baltimore Ravens (Jeremy Zuttah trade) - No. 14 (198 overall)
9. Sixth round: Denver Broncos (Vernon Davis trade) - No. 18 (202 overall)
10. Seventh round: New Orleans Saints - No. 1 (229 overall)