Niner Noise
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Predicting 49ers 2016 Depth Chart Amid Training Camp

By Peter Panacy

Sep 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) take the field for warmups prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) take the field for warmups prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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October 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Running Back

V1.0 Assessment:

Starter: Carlos Hyde

Backup: DuJuan Harris

V2.0 Assessment:

Starter: Carlos Hyde

Backup: Shaun Draughn

No surprises about Carlos Hyde being the team’s No. 1 running back in 2016. And he should thrive in head coach Chip Kelly’s zone-blocking scheme — similar to the style in which Hyde thrived at Ohio State.

But who backs up Hyde is an open-ended question. Initially, I had journeyman running back DuJuan Harris getting the nod over fellow tailback Shaun Draughn, citing stats as the primary reason:

"Harris averaged more yards on the ground in 2015 (5.2 to 3.5) and in the receiving game (10.8 to 7.0) than the guy with whom he’s likely competing the most, Shaun Draughn."

Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area seems to think Draughn is the better backup option over Harris though, and that’s good enough for me.

Don’t sleep on rookie running back Kelvin Taylor though. And, as Niner Noise’s Nicholas McGee pointed out, Taylor may end up being the best option to back up Hyde at some point soon.

Next: Quarterback