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5 prospects the 49ers should watch at the 2018 East-West Shrine Game

By Peter Panacy

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - JANUARY 21: West's Eli McGuire #1 of Louisiana-Lafayette finds room to run during the third quarter of the East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field on January 21, 2017, in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Joseph Garnett, Jr. /Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - JANUARY 21: West's Eli McGuire #1 of Louisiana-Lafayette finds room to run during the third quarter of the East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field on January 21, 2017, in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Joseph Garnett, Jr. /Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 09: Ralph Webb #7 of the Vanderbilt Commodores celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 09: Ralph Webb #7 of the Vanderbilt Commodores celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Running Back Ralph Webb, Vanderbilt

Projected Draft Position: Round 7/UDFA

Last year, the 49ers landed former Georgia Southern running back Matt Breida as an undrafted free agent. All he did was wind up being about as solid a No. 2 back behind the offense’s starter, Carlos Hyde.

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With Hyde possibly leaving via free agency this offseason, there’s a real chance head coach Kyle Shanahan looks to the late rounds to find the next Breida-like tailback.

Vanderbilt’s Ralph Webb is a player to watch here.

At 5-foot-10 and 202 pounds, Webb has a bit more bulk to his frame that Breida, making him a solid red-zone runner and a tough tackling assignment. Jason Hurley over at PigskinProspects.com noted he had “good vision” and was a “very patient back,” which helps fit into an outside-zone scheme where diagnosing openings is crucial.

Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner have a knack for finding late-round gems at this position. The last example, of course, was Breida as an undrafted rookie.

Webb might be the next player to fit this mold, and his performance will be one the Niners should watch.