Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Full 2016 Report-Card Grades for Every Position

By Peter Panacy

Jan 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) prepares to pass the football against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Levis Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) prepares to pass the football against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Levis Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Carlos Hyde 49ers
December 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) runs the ball in for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Running Back. San Francisco 49ers. . B.

If there was area in which the Niners had a moderate strength this season, it was at running back.

While No. 1 tailback Carlos Hyde finished just 12 rushing yards short of 1,000 on the season, he still remains the team’s top threat on the offensive side of the ball.

Overall, San Francisco’s rushing attack ranked No. 4 in the NFL with 2,019 yards. This is partly due to former head coach Chip Kelly’s system, as well as quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s rushing abilities.

But in reality, the Niners couldn’t offer up much more than just a run-heavy offensive attack, skewing the results as a whole.

Biggest Standout: Carlos Hyde

As noted, Hyde remains the team’s No. 1 offensive threat moving forward. And it’s considerable he nearly made 1,000 rushing yards behind a lowly run-blocking offensive line.

Still, Hyde’s elusiveness is a good thing to note. And he did average 4.6 yards per carry this year — good for No. 11 in the league.

Of course, the main concern with Hyde is his health. Hyde missed two games earlier this season, due to a shoulder injury, and was lost for the year in Week 16 with an MCL sprain.

All this does is mandate the need for the 49ers to have an adequate backup.

Biggest Bust: Mike Davis

Second-year tailback Mike Davis looked as if he turned the page last preseason. But any hopes of the former South Carolina standout went out the door pretty quickly in the regular season.

Davis wound up being inactive for all but eight of the Niners’ regular-season games this year. And he posted just 19 carries for 50 yards and a touchdown — averaging a mere 2.6 yards per carry.

It’s safe to say Davis won’t be a long-term piece of San Francisco’s future plans.