The 49ers picked up wide receiver Kyle Williams of Arizona State with the club’s final sixth-round pick, No. 206 overall.
Williams’ true value to the 49ers is likely as a return man. He averaged 10 yards per return as a senior, after rolling up a 17-yard average as a junior.
He is the son of Chicago White Sox general manager Kenny Williams, which might explain why the White Sox selected him in the 47th round of the 2006 baseball draft.
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This is definitely insurance in the return game. The 49ers dealt a fifth-round pick last week to acquire Ted Ginn, who is very good as a kickoff-return man. But Ginn lost his punt-return job with the Dolphins because of some inconsistencies catching the ball. Ginn fumbled eight times in his first two NFL seasons.
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When asked how this compares to getting drafted in baseball, Williams said, “One hundred percent better – 200 percent.”
Williams was born in
He said he’ll fit into the 49ers any way possible. His style is similar to Ginn. Williams is at his best in the slot. He speculated that he could take over on occasion on returns to give Ginn a break. Or he could take a more significant role if Ginn’s prominence in the offense increases.
As a route-runner, Williams described himself as quick and elusive. He can get in and out of breaks with precision and “stop on a dime,” he said.
He is listed at 5-11. His playing weight at
Williams mentioned the excitement of joining such playmakers with the 49ers as Michael Crabtree, Ginn, Vernon David and Frank Gore. He added, “I have to prove myself and make the team.”
Receiving
2006: 4 rec, 87 yds (21.8 avg), 0 TDs
2007: 27 rec, 360 yds (12.4 avg) 6 TDs
2008: 19 rec, 364 yds (19.2 avg) 4 TDs
2009: 57 rec, 815 yds (14.3 avg) 8 TDs
Punt returns
2006: 14 ret, 77 yds (5.5 avg), 0 TDs
2007: 23 ret, 224 yds (9.7 avg), 0 TDs
2008: 14 ret, 238 yds (17 avg), 0 TDs
2009: 23 ret, 229 yds (10 avg), 0 TDs
Kickoff returns
2006: 4 ret, 79 yds (19.8 avg), 0 TDs
2007: None
2008: 27 ret, 630 yds (23.3 avg), 0 TDs
2009: None
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