49ers 2017 Season: San Francisco’s new running game
By Jonah Burros
Today Niner Noise is going to start a five-part series, breaking down the new 2017 49ers team post NFL Draft. We will analyze the new roster and schemes, highlighting new additions from the draft and free agency and how they fit. In part one, we will focus on the new running game.
The San Francisco 49ers started the offseason with a first-time general manager, first-time head coach and rebuilt front office.
Free agency followed with 21 additions to a severely depleted roster with a focus on an entirely new game plan across the board.
The 49ers entered the 2017 NFL Draft with the second overall pick and 10 picks in total. They finished Round 7 with 11 new players and an additional second- and third-round pick next year.
San Francisco 49ers
Widely considered as having one of the best drafts in the league, the Niners immediately followed up with a highly regarded undrafted free-agent class with 18 more additions.
The 49ers have added two more free-agent offensive lineman since then and currently stand at 52 total acquisitions for the team since free agency started.
The term “rebuild year” isn’t wasted here.
With open tryouts currently being conducted and spring training still to come, there is an enormous amount of speculation as to what the final roster will look like.
Though, considering the types of players brought in so far, and head coach Kyle Shanahan’s past with other teams, we can begin to paint a picture.
This five-part series will analyze every aspect of the new 49ers on the field — from the starters to the deepest bench players on the potential 53. Even from the potential practice squad members to the camp bodies and yes, special teams and even coaches.
We’ll begin with what every team starts with and what American Football began with over 150 years ago — the running game.