San Francisco 49ers: 10 Pros Who Could Lose Jobs to 2016 NFL Draft Prospects

Running Back Jarryd Hayne

The running back position probably isn’t a big one of need for the 49ers in 2016.

No. 1 tailback Carlos Hyde is expected to thrive in head coach Chip Kelly’s offense. And the Niners re-signed fellow backs DuJuan Harris and Shaun Draughn to new deals for the season. On top of those players, San Francisco has second-year pro Mike Davis as well as Kendall Gaskins.

And then there’s former Australian rugby star, turned NFL hopeful Jarryd Hayne.

There isn’t much doubt to Hayne’s unique skill set. But that set didn’t save Hayne from a practice squad demotion a year ago.

Those same skills may not be enough for Hayne in 2016 either.

The same concerns about whether or not Hayne could make do in the NFL may be rectified to a certain extent by his one year with the 49ers. And it’s possible head coach Chip Kelly envisions Hayne as a sort of “wild card” for San Francisco’s offense.

But Hayne’s chances to crack the roster for good would be dramatically hindered if the 49ers take a running back via the draft.

Especially if that back comes in Round 4 or so.

This would be a measure of football IQ more than raw talent. Hayne has the latter, and he’s developing the former.

Is that enough to ensure he keeps his job?

Next: Tank Carradine