2020 NFL Draft: 3 out-of-box picks 49ers could make in Round 1

Head coach Kyle Shanahan has a knack for identifying otherwise-unheralded running backs and turning them into household names.

In 2018, former undrafted running back Matt Breida was an offensive powerhouse. During the latter half of last year, another undrafted player, Raheem Mostert, went from a special teams ace Shanahan inherited on the roster in 2017 to a speedy ground-yards juggernaut.

While this position doesn’t appear to be a need, the situation on the ground is far less set than it seems. Veteran running back Tevin Coleman has zero in guaranteed money for 2020, making him a possible cut candidate. Breida fell out of favor with Shanahan late last season, and fellow runner Jerick McKinnon spent the past two years on injured reserve.

The 49ers grabbing a running back in Round 1 seems like the unlikeliest of possibilities. But one has to remember Shanahan’s offense is a run-first offense.

And fathoming what Georgia’s D’Andre Swift could do in San Francisco is enticing, to say the least.

Swift is a capable pass catcher, and he’s more than dynamic on the ground. As a fit in the outside-zone blocking scheme San Francisco employs, it’s hard to envision a better fit in the system than Swift in this year’s draft.

Teams seemingly valuing running backs less in the draft year to year could ultimately mean Swift falls to the back end of Round 1.

Maybe that possibility entices Shanahan enough.