49ers training camp battle: The running back position

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TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 2: Running back Kapri Bibbs #35 of the Denver Broncos warms up before the start of an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 2, 2016 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

Kapri Bibbs

One already assumed the Niners would have a deep crop of tailbacks hitting this training camp long before the selections of Joe Williams and Matt Breida.

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And yet John Lynch still elected to bring in more competition, trading for former Denver Broncos runner Kapri Bibbs on April 29 — a move involving a swap of the 49ers’ own fourth-round pick and picking up Denver’s fifth rounder in the process.

Bibbs has spent the majority of his NFL career as a special teams contributor, so this move makes sense.

He did manage 4.4 yards per carry on 29 attempts for the Broncos last year, so that might be something to watch as Bibbs looks to increase his roster value.

The connection Lynch has with the Broncos — both from his playing days and work as an analyst — might have been the deciding factor to bring Bibbs aboard.

At best, Bibbs is probably competing for the No. 3 or No. 4 spot on San Francisco’s depth chart here. But his ability to contribute on special teams certainly increases his value and pushes him onto the strong bubble.