Niner Noise
FanSided

2017 NFL Draft: Why the 49ers Won’t Draft LSU RB Leonard Fournette

By Chris Wilson

Nov 14, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) walks off the field after the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Tiger Stadium. The Razorbacks won 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) walks off the field after the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Tiger Stadium. The Razorbacks won 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 8
Next
Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) is tackled in the end zone for a safety against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 47-7. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) is tackled in the end zone for a safety against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 47-7. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Hyde’s Always Hurt

The 49ers should draft an early-round RB because Hyde is always hurt.

The premise is partially correct; Hyde plays RB and RBs often get hurt. On average, lead backs miss approximately three games a season.

Hyde has averaged over four missed games a season, on teams that were out of playoff contention early in the season, with no incentive to play a feature back in a questionable injury status.

Even after signing Tim Hightower earlier this month, the 49ers will probably draft a RB this year, but only later in the draft. The 49ers should be capable of getting production out of a late-round RB, which is another topic we’ll address in a moment.

Fournette is a good prospect who would be an asset to any NFL team. The arguments against drafting Fournette aren’t arguments against him as a football player.

Instead, they’re based in the understanding that the 49ers will end the 2017 NFL Draft weekend a better team if they use their second pick to draft a higher value player (or players in a trade-back scenario), and address any RB need with a scheme-fit player who will cost the team less draft capital.

The arguments against drafting Fournette fall into three general categories: scheme fit, the Shanahan RB and “can’t-miss” RBs usually miss.