Niner Noise
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Ranking the Top 10 Free Agents the 49ers Should Pursue in 2017

By Peter Felsch

Nov 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke before the game against the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke before the game against the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenjon Barner (34) carries the ball on a kickoff return against the Green Bay Packers during a NFL football game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenjon Barner (34) carries the ball on a kickoff return against the Green Bay Packers during a NFL football game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Running Back Kenjon Barner

There are star running backs available this year, including Le’Veon Bell, Latavius Murray and Eddie Lacey. But I think the 49ers are confident Carlos Hyde can be the main workhorse.

That doesn’t mean the team shouldn’t look into adding another back to compliment him.

Insert former Oregon running back Kenjon Barner.

A former player with head coach Chip Kelly at Oregon and with the Philadelphia Eagles, Barner is the type of one-cut running back who works well in his offense. This move wouldn’t be to push Hyde for starting reps, but it could be an underrated pick up as a third-down running back capable of making plays, catching out of the backfield, returning punts and kicks.