Niner Noise
FanSided

East-West Shrine Game: 5 NFL Draft Prospects the 49ers Should Watch

By Peter Panacy

Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back De'Veon Smith (4) leaps over Florida State Seminoles defensive back Marquez White (27) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back De'Veon Smith (4) leaps over Florida State Seminoles defensive back Marquez White (27) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Nov 19, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back De'Veon Smith (4) dives into the end zone for a touchdown in the second half defended by Indiana Hoosiers defensive back A'Shon Riggins (28) at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back De’Veon Smith (4) dives into the end zone for a touchdown in the second half defended by Indiana Hoosiers defensive back A’Shon Riggins (28) at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Running Back De’Veon Smith, Michigan

Collegiate Statistics

San Francisco should be counting on the services of No. 1 tailback Carlos Hyde for the foreseeable future. But the team would be wise to add some competition in the later rounds of the draft.

This is where Michigan’s De’Veon Smith comes in.

At 5-foot-11 and 228 pounds, Smith’s stocky frame makes him a difficult tackling assignment. He also has tremendous patience and vision, as illustrated in this clip below:

Rushing for an average of 4.7 yards per carry in the Wolverines offense last season, Smith would be the ideal kind of backup to spell Hyde and act as the perfect change-of-pace back capable of being picked up in later rounds.