Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Projecting 53-Man Roster in 2016

By Peter Panacy

August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (69, left) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) celebrate during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (69, left) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) celebrate during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 11, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) carries the ball as New York Giants outside linebacker Mark Herzlich (94) defends at MetLife Stadium. The Giants won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) carries the ball as New York Giants outside linebacker Mark Herzlich (94) defends at MetLife Stadium. The Giants won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Jim O’Connor-USA TODAY Sports /

Running Back

Halfback: Carlos Hyde, DuJuan Harris, Kelvin Taylor, Mike Davis

Fullback: Bruce Miller

Bruce Miller is a fullback in name only at this point.

And the No. 1 running back job will go to Carlos Hyde. There aren’t any questions there. But backing him up will be of critical importance in head coach Chip Kelly’s dynamic and uptempo offense.

Rookie running back Kelvin Taylor may assume this role a season from now. In the meantime, journeyman runner DuJuan Harris edges out fellow late-2015 addition Shaun Draughn for the primary backup spot.

Harris bested Draughn in average yards per carry last season (5.2 to 3.5). It’s a slight edge, but a notable one.

Lost in the mix, perhaps, will be second-year pro Mike Davis. The Niners may not be ready to admit any sort of mistake with their former fourth-round pick just yet, but Davis will have to prove he belongs on the roster.

At this point, he will. But who knows how long his tenure will be.

If anything, depth at this group was tested to a great extent a year ago. So the 49ers will want to be beefed up here.

Next: Quarterback