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San Francisco 49ers: 2016 NFL Draft Recap & Analysis

By Bryan Knowles

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida Gators running back Kelvin Taylor (21) runs during the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines in the 2016 Citrus Bowl at Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida Gators running back Kelvin Taylor (21) runs during the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines in the 2016 Citrus Bowl at Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Best Sleeper Pick: Kelvin Taylor

Remember Fred Taylor? Of course you do–in 13 seasons, mostly in Jacksonville, Taylor racked up nearly 12,000 yards rushing, sixteenth-most in league history. His son, Kelvin, might never be the same player Fred was, but he’s an exceptionally intriguing prospect down in the sixth round, and could come in and contribute as part of the rotation right away.

Last season, Taylor ran for 1,035 yards and 13 scores on 259 carries in Florida, and never fumbled. In fact, he didn’t fumble once in his entire college career, which includes 510 touches. That’s rather incredible–Taylor knows ball security above all else.

With his outstanding vision and solid agility, he can cut out extra yards on his own, squeezing through gaps and finding daylight. He’s not overly fast, coming in at a 4.6-second 40-yard dash, making him one of the slowest prospects in this year’s draft, but his elusiveness and vision helps him gain more yards than an average back.

He can stop and start on a dime, making defenders miss, and has enough burst to reach the corner, even if his top speed is limited. He seems to know where the holes will be before they’re there, and hits them in stride. Too much can be said about “genes” when talking about a second-generation player like Taylor, but he’s learned from one of the best and it shows on the field.

He’ll never be a full-time carry the load sort of runner, but he absolutely can play a valuable part in a rotation. While running back wasn’t a massive need for the 49ers, the depth chart is unclear once you get past Carlos Hyde at the top. Taylor will have as good a chance as anyone to take a significant chunk of the carries this year, and he could be a Frank Gore-esque runner in terms of style, if not productivity, for quite a few years.

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