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San Francisco 49ers: A Way-Too-Early Look at Position Needs for 2018

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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Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) warms up prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) warms up prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Running Back

The 49ers drafted former Utah tailback Joe Williams in Round 4 of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Based off Williams’ speed and elusiveness alone, it’s possible he emerges as a starter within a couple of years. Right now, he’s the perfect complement to No. 1 running back Carlos Hyde.

But Hyde’s future with the team is in doubt.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch expressed the desire to see more from Hyde in 2017, and the once-heralded runner has still yet to crest 1,000 yards on the ground. It’s been frustrating, for sure.

Hyde will be a free agent in 2018, and an early guess doesn’t have the Niners re-signing him.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is on the franchise tag this season, although it’s silly to think the Steelers will let him walk, unless he has a poor campaign this year. And we shouldn’t expect that.

Penn State’s Saquon Barkley and Alabama’s Bo Scarborough are probably first-round options, but Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner don’t have a history of taking a tailback early. So guys like Georgia’s Sony Michel or Oregon’s Royce Freeman may be options here.

Another important key to remember is Shanahan prefers a two-headed monster at the position. Many teams do.

Just expect Williams, not Hyde, to be a part of that equation.