Niner Noise
FanSided

3 moves 49ers should make before 2020 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball against the Carolina Panthers during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball against the Carolina Panthers during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Matt Breida, 49ers
Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

No. 3: 49ers Trade Running Back Matt Breida

It seems like an odd idea, considering running back Matt Breida finished the last two years as the NFL’s fastest player. Plus, in 2018, Breida averaged 5.3 yards per carry which was good for fourth best among qualifiers en route to his 814-yard rushing campaign.

Towards the end of last year, however, Breida was all but pushed out of head coach Kyle Shanahan’s game plan and became an afterthought to fellow running backs Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman.

Now, with Jerick McKinnon returning from back-to-back years on injured reserve, it doesn’t appear Breida will have a roster spot despite the 49ers placing a second-round restricted free-agent tender on him.

Matt Maiocco elaborated on it further:

"Matt Breida did not have a role on offense to end the season. The club placed a second-round tender on him as a restricted free agent, but I’m sure the 49ers would be willing to trade his rights for lower-round draft pick. Right now, Breida is most-likely to find himself on another team to open the season."

The tender is worth approximately $3.26 million, which is a lot to dish out for a player whose role seems to be nothing more than a third-string option. Plus, one has to figure Shanahan will look at additional cheaper running back options late in the draft or afterwards, all but pushing Breida out of the picture.

But the use of the tender suggests the Niners know other teams have interest in Breida. Even if he lands nothing more than a day-three pick, San Francisco would be wise to acquire such an asset via a trade between now and draft day.