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2017 NFL Draft: Complete 7-Round Mock for the San Francisco 49ers

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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Sep 24, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back De’Veon Smith (4) rushes on Penn State Nittany Lions safety Marcus Allen (2) in the second half at Michigan Stadium. Michigan 49-10. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back De’Veon Smith (4) rushes on Penn State Nittany Lions safety Marcus Allen (2) in the second half at Michigan Stadium. Michigan 49-10. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

42. . Running Back. Michigan. De'Veon Smith. 202. player

With each passing season, fans are just waiting for No. 1 Niners tailback Carlos Hyde to finally have his “breakout” year.

And it has yet to happen.

Hyde missed the 1,000-yard plateau by 12 yards in 2016. Injuries have been a major factor here, as Hyde has yet to prove he can stay healthy over the course of 16 games.

With head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense likely to rely heavily on the ground game, Hyde will need some help. Thankfully, this year’s running back class is both deep and talented.

In most other years, Michigan’s De’Veon Smith might be considered a mid-round pick. But he’s fallen into the fringes of the late rounds, likely due to his less-than-impressive game speed.

But Smith is a bruiser and someone capable of providing adequate depth behind Hyde and the remaining crop of runners San Francisco has on it’s roster.