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San Francisco 49ers: Final 7-round mock before the 2018 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL Commissoner Roger Goodell greets Aldon Smith, #7 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers, during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL Commissoner Roger Goodell greets Aldon Smith, #7 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers, during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) /
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AMES, IA – SEPTEMBER 28: Running back Chris Warren III #25 of the Texas Longhorns drives the ball into the end zone as defensive back Reggie Wilkerson #3, and linebacker Marcel Spears Jr. #42 of the Iowa State Cyclones defend in the first half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on September 28, 2017 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – SEPTEMBER 28: Running back Chris Warren III #25 of the Texas Longhorns drives the ball into the end zone as defensive back Reggie Wilkerson #3, and linebacker Marcel Spears Jr. #42 of the Iowa State Cyclones defend in the first half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on September 28, 2017 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

Running Back. Texas. Chris Warren. 197. player. 42.

Kyle Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner are known for grabbing running backs later on in the NFL Draft and turning them into quality players.

And while the 49ers landed former Minnesota Vikings tailback Jerick McKinnon in free agency this year, his physique is a lot like the Niners’ No. 2 runner, Matt Breida. What’s needed is someone with a slightly bigger frame — a bullish third-down running back and goal-line specialist.

At 6-foot-2 and 247 pounds, Texas’ Chris Warren fits the bill.

Warren has a bit of an injury history and wouldn’t be called upon to be an every-down back at the NFL level. But his vision is good, and Texas even gave him the opportunity (18 catches for 229 yards and two touchdowns in 2017) as a pass catcher — a staple of a Shanahan offense for the position.