Niner Noise
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NFL Free Agency: Laying out a plan for the 49ers

By Logan Stanley

FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 13: Dion Lewis #33 of the New England Patriots carries the ball in the second quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 13: Dion Lewis #33 of the New England Patriots carries the ball in the second quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/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

PFF Grade: 89.4

Spotrac: 3 years, $13.3 million — $4.4 million annually

Cap space left: $61.7 million

While running back is not of the utmost need, the position is one that could still use some upgrading. The 49ers will have to decide whether or not to bring back Carlos Hyde on a new deal, which is a move that will impact how the team moves forward.

Rookie Matt Breida did provide flashes as a playmaker out of the backfield. But Breida alone will not suffice in 2018 as the main running option for a team with playoff hopes.

Running back Dion Lewis, with his dual-threat ability, would be an excellent addition to the roster. Lewis has shown time and time again that not only can he catch the ball, he can do it rather well.

Just look at this clip from Lewis’ most recent game. After the catch is where he becomes special.

The fifth-year player had 32 receptions for 214 yards and three touchdowns during the 2017 regular season. But Lewis is not one dimensional. He can run the ball effectively too.

Lewis led the New England Patriots in rushing with 896 yards on 180 carries and scored six touchdowns on the ground. Per PFF, Lewis was third in the NFL for yards after contact per attempt at 3.4 yards. Lewis’ 73.2 elusive rating from PFF was No. 1 in the league, just ahead of Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt.

  • Players I also like: Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers; Jerick McKinnon, Minnesota Vikings; Isaiah Crowell, Cleveland Browns.