2020 NFL Draft: 3 under-the-radar prospects 49ers should watch
By Peter Panacy
The 49ers don’t need to address their running back stockpile in 2020, although there are more questions here than meet the eye.
Running backs Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon could be cap casualties, while fellow tailback Matt Breida appeared to fall out of favor with head coach Kyle Shanahan late in the season.
Shanahan has long targeted running backs late, such as the undrafted Breida, whose speed earned him notoriety both in 2018 and 2019. And since speed is such an essential part of Shanahan’s offense, particularly on the ground, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Niners grab a speedy runner late in the NFL Draft.
Perhaps someone like Western Michigan’s LeVante Bellamy.
Granted, Bellamy’s 4.50 40-yard time at the NFL Scouting Combine didn’t do him too many favors. But all one has to do is recall his blazing-fast 4.28-second 40-yard dash not too long ago.
Bellamy was highly productive in college, too, putting up 2,700 rush yards and a whopping 30 combined touchdowns his last two seasons with the Broncos.
Likely a sixth- or seventh-round pick, Shanahan could get his shifty, elusive and speedy weapon and potentially solve any concerns San Francisco might have with its running back depth.