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San Francisco 49ers: Re-Ranking NFL Draft Positional Priorities after Free Agency

By Peter Panacy

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet before game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers beat the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet before game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers beat the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 29, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) runs the ball as Arizona Wildcats safety Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (6) defends during the second quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) runs the ball as Arizona Wildcats safety Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (6) defends during the second quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 5: Running Back

The 49ers will roll into 2017 with Carlos Hyde already established as the team’s No. 1 ball-carrier on the ground.

But injuries and durability continue to be a concern. Hyde hasn’t had a fully healthy season since he was the backup to former Niners great, Frank Gore. The 26-year-old Hyde missed three games last season too and missed 1,000 yards rushing by a mere 12.

He’ll need help, and it’s up to San Francisco to find him adequate backups in the NFL Draft.

Remember, head coach Kyle Shanahan had a two-headed monster at the position with the Atlanta Falcons a year ago. Tailbacks Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman were a major part of why Atlanta’s offense was best in the NFL in 2016.

Sure, it’s possible the Niners look at a first-round running back like Dalvin Cook or Leonard Fournette. It just doesn’t seem likely.

Maybe a player like former Stanford tailback Christian McCaffrey would be a good fit, as Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller suggested (h/t Daniel Ogden of KNBR 1050).

More likely is a mid-round selection. Perhaps someone like San Diego State’s ​​Donnel Pumphrey or Louisiana’s Elijah McGuire winds up being the perfect spell back.