Niner Noise
FanSided

Predicting the 49ers running back depth chart in 2017

By Logan Stanley

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 11: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball against the New York Jets during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 11: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball against the New York Jets during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 6: Running back Tim Hightower #34 of the New Orleans Saints runs for five yards against cornerback Tramaine Brock #26 of the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter on November, 6 2016 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The Saints won 41-23. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 6: Running back Tim Hightower #34 of the New Orleans Saints runs for five yards against cornerback Tramaine Brock #26 of the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter on November, 6 2016 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The Saints won 41-23. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Tim Hightower

Signed in the offseason to a one-year, $1.1 million contract, Hightower is being brought in to compete for a share of the 49ers carries this upcoming season. I don’t see him ever claiming the starting position, whereas I can with Williams. That’s what separates the two in my mind.

It’ll be between him and Williams fighting for the backup rushes. As Andy Patton of Rotoballer writes, it’s a “new team, same role” situation for Hightower — who is coming off a two-season stint as the backup to New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram.