Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Top 5 positions to upgrade and how to upgrade them

By Jeremy Wohlfart

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks a tackle by Samson Ebukam #50 of the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks a tackle by Samson Ebukam #50 of the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Running Back

Why the position must be addressed:

This is a question that really has two answers, and it really depends on what the Niners decide to do with current lead back Carlos Hyde.

If the Niners decide to allow Hyde to join another team via free agency, or if he decides to walk, the Niners will be looking for a lead back.

However if Hyde signs a deal to stay at the Niners, then the focus will be on a running back who can catch the ball. Garoppolo needs as many weapons around him as possible to help his development.

How it can be addressed:

Truth be told, I would sign Hyde and sign a pass-catching back, or draft one, for the simple reason that there isn’t an awful lot to pick from in the free agent pool. The New England Patriots’ Dion Lewis might be the only guy, and he only really got healthy this previous season, still he has potential to at least split touches with Matt Breida.

Oh yeah, and there’s the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell.

PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 01: Le’Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on October 1, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) 01: Le’Veon Bell
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 01: Le’Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on October 1, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) 01: Le’Veon Bell /

If Hyde walks, Bell may be the big free-agent signing that makes use of the enormous cap the Niners currently enjoy, but is the lofty contract he will no doubt demand worth it? Given the wide array of talent available in day two of the upcoming draft, it may be more prudent to look elsewhere.

I’ve written before about how San Diego State’s Rashaad Penny has been turning heads, and he could be the ideal target for the Niners. But don’t rule out the Niners using their considerable draft capital to move up and take the likes of LSU’s Derrius Guice or Georgia’s Sony Michel.