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49ers NFL Draft Prospect Watch: Making the Case for RB Kareem Hunt

By Peter Panacy

Nov 27, 2015; Toledo, OH, USA; Western Michigan Broncos safety Asantay Brown (6) attempts to tackle Toledo Rockets running back Kareem Hunt (3) during the second quarter at Glass Bowl. Broncos win 35-30. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Toledo, OH, USA; Western Michigan Broncos safety Asantay Brown (6) attempts to tackle Toledo Rockets running back Kareem Hunt (3) during the second quarter at Glass Bowl. Broncos win 35-30. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 24, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Toledo Rockets running back Kareem Hunt (L) runs the ball against Massachusetts Minutemen linebacker Kassan Messiah (3) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Toledo Rockets running back Kareem Hunt (L) runs the ball against Massachusetts Minutemen linebacker Kassan Messiah (3) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

Kareem Hunt Scouting Reports and 49ers Fit

Fox Sports’ Dieter Kurtenbach said Kareem Hunt “can do it all,” and we’ve certainly seen glimpses of that already.

But let’s take a deeper look, courtesy of NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein.

Per Zierlein, Hunt’s strength’s include:

"Compact body with broad frame and muscular legs. Above-average agility for his size. Has hips and feet to elude darting defenders in backfield. Uses effective jump-cut to avoid the sludge and shift to the open gap. Runs with good vision and overall instincts. Presses the line before making back-side cuts. Conforms his run to changing space within running lane. Spin moves are effective against first-look tacklers on second level. Suddenly shifts to bounce an inside run to the perimeter. Strings moves together on outside zone plays."

More from Niner Noise

But the negatives can’t be avoided:

"Marginal downhill burst through line of scrimmage. Inconsistent inside runner. Gets too cute in the hole when run comes to a close. Looks to spin rather than finish with authority. Needs to run to his size more consistently. Premature in breaking off play-side runs in outside zone. He might not trust his play speed. Slight gear-down into downhill cuts. Could struggle to find chunk runs on next level."

As a backup, the 49ers could do much worse than adding Hunt to their roster. And he certainly has the ability and potential to emerge as a featured back if called upon.

San Francisco owns two fourth-round picks in the NFL Draft — Nos. 109 and 143 (compensatory).

Next: 5 Hidden Gems the 49ers Should Consider in the NFL Draft

Should Hunt slip into Round 4, he’d be a wise pickup for a 49ers team needing depth at the position.