Niner Noise
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NFL free agency: Ranking 49ers’ top 5 targets for 2018

By Aaron Tan

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 12: Kyle Fuller #23 of the Chicago Bears knocks the ball away from Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on October 12, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 12: Kyle Fuller #23 of the Chicago Bears knocks the ball away from Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on October 12, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 13: Dion Lewis #33 of the New England Patriots carries the ball in the third quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 13: Dion Lewis #33 of the New England Patriots carries the ball in the third quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Running Back Dion Lewis

I believe that the writing is on the wall for Carlos Hyde’s exit from the 49ers, which you can read about here.

So who will be Hyde’s replacement?

I wanted it to be Steelers back Le’Veon Bell, but Pittsburgh is likely to place a franchise tag on him, and with Ben Roethlisberger reportedly returning for the 2018 season, Bell is pretty much a lock to remain on his current team.

So enter Dion Lewis, a running back that is a great fit for Kyle Shanahan’s offense. He is shifty, fast, can make great cuts to juke various defenders and seems to never go down. Oh yeah, and he can catch — an integral skill for a running back in Shanahan’s system.

Just watch how he embarrassed the Titans, a good defense against the run, in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.

Again, Lewis’ stock is not particularly high because of how many other good running backs the Patriots have. New England head coach Bill Belichick loves to utilize a combination of backs in games, and sometimes features a specific one depending on matchup. Fellow fantasy football players know the frustration surrounding New England running backs.

Lewis’ role as a No. 1 back in San Francisco would make for a formidable threat for the rest of the league. Lewis can do it all — run inside, outside and be a fantastic receiver. He’s just been underutilized throughout his NFL career.