Niner Noise
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2020 NFL Draft: 3 dark-horse targets for 49ers first pick in Round 1

By Peter Panacy

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 26: Tristan Wirfs #OL53 of the Iowa Hawkeyes speaks to the media at the Indiana Convention Center on February 26, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) *** Local caption *** Tristan Wirfs
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 26: Tristan Wirfs #OL53 of the Iowa Hawkeyes speaks to the media at the Indiana Convention Center on February 26, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) *** Local caption *** Tristan Wirfs /
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D'Andre Swift, Georgia Bulldogs
D’Andre Swift #7 of the Georgia Bulldogs (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

player. 814. . Running Back. Bulldogs . D'Andre Swift. 2

Going with a running back at No. 13 overall would essentially be against almost everything Kyle Shanahan has done with the position.

And given the all-too-often short shelf life of running backs in the NFL, using a top pick on a tailback has become less and less popular an idea in recent years.

Yet the 49ers are in win-now mode, and even though they managed one of the league’s best rushing attacks last season, there are still plenty of question marks at the position. Fourth-year pro Matt Breida fell out of favor late last year, veteran Tevin Coleman had a handful of large-impact game, but was otherwise little better than so-so and Jerick McKinnon is coming off a two-year absence from his 2018 ACL injury.

About the only guarantee entering 2020 is last year’s star, Raheem Mostert.

Georgia running back D’Andre Swift is a complete player on the ground, capable of exploding for huge chunk gains any time he gets the ball. His vision is unequaled in this NFL Draft class, and there’s little questioning he’ll be a stud right away at the next level.

Even though the cost in draft capital would be high, one can fathom the idea of Swift in Shanahan’s offense and only get excited.