Niner Noise
FanSided

If the 49ers Go Running Back in the First Round, Who Should They Take?

By JD Leidy

Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan 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 and head coach Kyle Shanahan pose for a photo during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next
Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan 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 and head coach Kyle Shanahan pose for a photo during a press conference at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

The San Francisco 49ers are not likely to select a running back with their No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. But, if they did, which of the top three backs should they select?

The 49ers have the No. 2 overall pick entering the 2017 NFL Draft.

With a talent deficient roster in many areas, including key positions like quarterback and linebacker (both inside and outside), most pundits don’t see the team selecting a running back in the first round.

December 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) during the second quarter against the New York Jets at Levi’s Stadium. The Jets defeated the 49ers 23-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) during the second quarter against the New York Jets at Levi’s Stadium. The Jets defeated the 49ers 23-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

However, despite having elite skills, RB Carlos Hyde has not exactly been the poster child for durability.

Out of a total 48 games that span his three-year career, he has only appeared in 34, or roughly 70-percent, of them. That doesn’t exactly scream bell cow.

Moreover, this year’s draft has some game-changing running backs that are likely to go in the first round: Dalvin Cook (Florida St.), Leonard Fournette (LSU), and Christian McCaffrey (Stanford).

The 49ers would be fortunate to add any of these three studs to their roster. However, it’s debatable as to whether any of them warrants a No. 2 overall selection.

But, assuming the 49ers do what many fans and Draftniks alike are predicting, and trade back in the 2017 draft, selecting a first round running back no longer seems frivolous.

If this scenario plays out, the question then becomes which of these three top backs should the 49ers roster?

For additional insight, let’s take a look at each back across a number of key factors, including speed, strength, agility, durability and more.