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49ers: Ranking Positional Priorities for the 2017 NFL Draft

By Nicholas McGee

Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch, head coach Kyle Shanahan and chief executive officer Jed York pose for a photo during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch, head coach Kyle Shanahan and chief executive officer Jed York pose for a photo during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) takes the field before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) takes the field before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Running Back

The 49ers definitely have a starter level talent at running back in Carlos Hyde but the question remains over whether he can stay healthy for a full season, the former second-round pick having failed to do so since being drafted in the second round in 2014.

With that in mind, there is a logical school of thought that San Francisco should take a tailback from a loaded class at the position and give the 49ers a player who can pick up the slack should Hyde go down again.

But the 49ers can now go into the draft safe in the knowledge they have already improved their backup to Hyde by bringing in Tim Hightower, who ran for 548 yards and four touchdowns and caught 22 balls for 200 yards and a score while with the Saints last year.

Hightower’s arrival does not mean the Niners are out of the running back market by any means but, with a starter and very capable backup in place, the need has lessened to a degree.