Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Reevaluating 6 team needs in the 2018 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

Commissioner Roger Goodell names a pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the 2016 NFL Draft (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
Commissioner Roger Goodell names a pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the 2016 NFL Draft (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 27: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball in for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 27: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball in for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

No. 6: Running Back

This position is a bit up in the air, as a lot could change between now and the draft. But running back might be a pressing position of need heading into 2018 because of this.

No. 1 tailback Carlos Hyde is in a contract year and is set to be a free agent. He’s enjoying some prowess within head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense thus far but, as we all know, injuries have largely hindered his impact over his San Francisco duration.

At 26 years old, Hyde is probably good for another three years, or so, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him want to sign elsewhere with a contender.

The Niners drafted former Utah running back Joe Williams in Round 4 in this year’s draft. Yet Williams didn’t exactly look great in training camp and the preseason, and an ankle injury forced the rookie onto season-ending injured reserve.

Williams could wind up being the guy taking over for Hyde next year, but that’s a pretty big question mark right now.

Or it could be undrafted free agent Matt Breida, who flashed some promise during the preseason and over the first three weeks.

Running back isn’t as pressing a need as other positions, so that’s why it’s at the bottom of the list. Yet it’s a position the Niners shouldn’t avoid considering altogether.