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San Francisco 49ers: Kyle Shanahan, Running Backs and the Passing Game

By Peter Panacy

Nov 13, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) drops a pass in the end zone during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) drops a pass in the end zone during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 1, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan speaks to the media during the 2017 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan speaks to the media during the 2017 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan figures to make good use out of the team’s running backs this season, like he did with the Atlanta Falcons a year ago. But let’s look at some of the numbers and fits as the Niners gear up for 2017.

Yes, this article is about a unique facet of San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan’s passing offense.

More specifically, how running backs are featured in the passing game.

If you’re looking for the strict passing offense from Shanahan, check out Niner Noise’s Rich Madrid’s breakdown here. Or this, if you want the rushing offense alone.

More from SF 49ers News

Before we can go any further, we have to acknowledge the 49ers have nothing like what Shanahan enjoyed as the Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator a year ago. San Francisco is a shell of the team that nearly won Super Bowl LI, and it’s going to be a while before the Niners are able to fully implement the head coach’s system.

But to gauge what we can expect, it helps to dig deeper into some of the numbers and stats behind the Falcons offense last year.

It’s no secret Shanahan had one of the best one-two running back tandems in the NFL a season ago — Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman.

These two were a main reason why the Falcons finished with the No. 5 rushing offense in the league last year. We know they can carry the ball for a dynamic ground attack. Yet it’s their work in the passing game that should catch our attention.

Let’s start off with how Shanahan has used running backs in the passing game.