Niner Noise
FanSided

5 players who impressed the 49ers at the NFL Scouting Combine

By Aaron Tan

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: USC running back Ronald Jones II runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: USC running back Ronald Jones II runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – OCTOBER 21: Royce Freeman #21 of the Oregon Ducks fends off the pursuit of the UCLA Bruins defense as he runs during the first half at Rose Bowl on October 21, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – OCTOBER 21: Royce Freeman #21 of the Oregon Ducks fends off the pursuit of the UCLA Bruins defense as he runs during the first half at Rose Bowl on October 21, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Runnning Back Royce Freeman (Oregon)

Kyle Shanahan seems to like running backs with the last name “Freeman.”

Shanahan turned Falcons running back Devonta Freeman from just a guy on a RB committee to a 1,000-yard rusher. And now at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine, Shanahan chose to interview running back Royce Freeman from Oregon, a tough bruising back projected to be picked in the mid rounds.

Freeman fits the term “bell cow” with ease, measuring in as 5-foot-11 and a staggering 238 pounds. And a bell cow he was at Oregon, rushing for over 1,000 yards in three out of four seasons and averaging above five yards per carry in all of his seasons on the Ducks.

Earlier this year, I labeled Freeman as a prospect to monitor because despite his gaudy stats in college, he was greatly helped by a dominant offensive line.

His performance at the combine proved that he didn’t need an offensive line to display his superior abilities as a running back. Freeman had the third fastest time on the three-cone drill, ran a 4.54 second 40-yard dash, and flew high on a nice 34-inch vertical jump.

He also felt strongly about his meeting with the 49ers:

There is no doubt in my mind that the 49ers left the NFL Scouting Combine with a good impression of Freeman. I would not be surprised if they pulled the trigger on him in the third round of the draft.