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How 49ers’ John Lynch came around on RB Joe Williams

When John Lynch learned Utah running back Joe Williams had walked away from his team for a month last season, his reaction was similar to that of the rest of the NFL.

"I was like, 'uh uh -- not interested,'" Lynch, the 49ers general manager, said Saturday.

But the more he and coach Kyle Shanahan watched Williams slice through college defenses and the more the 49ers explored his background, the faster his opinion changed.

Before the fourth round began on Saturday, Lynch spoke to Williams on the phone. And a few hours after that, he drafted him with the 121st overall pick.