Niner Noise
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5 Players the 49ers Won’t Touch in the 2017 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) calls a play against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) calls a play against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) before a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) before a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1: Running Back Leonard Fournette, LSU

Collegiate Statistics

LSU running back Leonard Fournette is going to be a game-changer at the NFL level.

And according to some reports, the 49ers are even considering him as a plausible option to replace Carlos Hyde. Just ask Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com. Even Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller reported the Niners are “in love” with Fournette.

But here’s where things get tricky.

Fournette isn’t a scheme fit, primarily in Kyle Shanahan’s outside-zone system. NFL.com draft scout Lance Zierlein broke down why Fournette would struggle in such an approach:

"Too quick to hit the accelerator and slam into defenders when there are still cuts and yards left in the play. Runs to obvious daylight but needs to learn to anticipate and finesse the crease in traffic. Doesn’t see cutback lanes developing as outside zone runner and prefers to keep runs play-side."

These are all staples of an outside-zone scheme, and Fournette doesn’t match well with what will be asked.

And it’s why I previously broke down why the Niners aren’t likely to pick Fournette early in the NFL Draft.

More from Niner Noise

So why the rumor buzz?

It’s possible, perhaps likely, San Francisco is drumming up interest in the LSU product to entice other teams, whose interest in Fournette may be high, to trade up to No. 2. Remember, a good chunk of rumors this time of year are far from truth. They’re the proverbial “smoke and mirrors” show.

Fournette won’t land with the 49ers in the draft. And if he does, San Francisco will have to change up its scheme in a major way.

Next: Complete 49ers 7-Round Mock in 2017 NFL Draft

Not likely to happen.