Niner Noise
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2018 NFL Draft: 5 sleeper picks for the 49ers in the later rounds

By Peter Panacy

PULLMAN, WA - OCTOBER 21: Phillip Lindsay #23 of the Colorado Buffaloes is tackled by Hercules Mata'afa #50 of the Washington State Cougars in the first half at Martin Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Pullman, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
PULLMAN, WA - OCTOBER 21: Phillip Lindsay #23 of the Colorado Buffaloes is tackled by Hercules Mata'afa #50 of the Washington State Cougars in the first half at Martin Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Pullman, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /
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DURHAM, NC – SEPTEMBER 29: Mark Walton #1 of the Miami Hurricanes runs with the ball against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Wallace Wade Stadium on September 29, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC – SEPTEMBER 29: Mark Walton #1 of the Miami Hurricanes runs with the ball against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Wallace Wade Stadium on September 29, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Running Back Mark Walton, Miami

College Statistics

Head coach Kyle Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner have a knack for finding late-round gems at the position and developing them into top-tier performers.

And with the 49ers’ No. 1 tailback, Carlos Hyde, possibly leaving via free agency, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the duo take a similar approach again in this year’s draft.

One name to watch outside of the numerous Rounds 1 through 3 prospects is Miami (FL) running back Mark Walton, who averaged 5.1 yards per carry over his three collegiate seasons. His junior campaign was off to a promising start before an ankle injury cut his 2017 campaign to just five games.

This certainly hurts his draft stock. But his positive attributes are more than enough to make him a fit in Shanahan’s offense.

As seen in the video below, Walton has excellent cutback ability and a strong sense to diagnose openings in the offensive line:

His 5-foot-9, 205-pound frame is slightly larger than that of No. 2 49ers tailback, Matt Breida, which offers the Niners offense a bit more of a physical intimidating, hard-hitting option.

So, if San Francisco doesn’t wind up with a top-tier tailback in early rounds, going with Walton as a fall-back option isn’t a bad idea at all.