49ers offseason: 5 roster moves San Francisco should make in 2018

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SAN DIEGO, CA – NOVEMBER 24: Rashaad Penny #20 of the San Diego State Aztecs eludes Bijon Parker #4 and DaQuan Baker #37 of the New Mexico Lobos for a rushing touchdown during the second half of a game at Qualcomm Stadium on November 24, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Take San Diego State Running Back Rashaad Penny in the NFL Draft

No, the 49ers don’t need to use their first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft on a running back.

That doesn’t mean they’ll avoid the position altogether, though.

Veteran tailback Carlos Hyde is unsigned in 2018, and it wouldn’t be a shock if the Niners look to get younger and cheaper here. And with Fourth and Nine’s Dylan DeSimone breaking down how head coach Kyle Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner pride themselves on finding mid-to-late-round running back gems, it wouldn’t be a shock to see this same approach replicated in this year’s draft.

The name to watch? San Diego State’s Rashaad Penny.

Penny’s small-school pedigree likely pushes his draft value down quite a bit. But if that’s an issue, check out the video below:

That’s the definition of a sleeper pick.

Likely a Round 3 prospect, Penny’s combination of rushing prowess and pass-catching abilities appear tailor made for Shanahan’s offense.

And with fellow Niners runners Matt Breida and Joe Williams in support, Penny could be the next best protege from Shanahan and Turner.