49ers last-guess 7-round mock before 2022 NFL Draft kicks off

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Ty Chandler #19 of the North Carolina Tar Heels (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

838. . Running Back. Tar Heels . Ty Chandler. 172. player

Round 5, Pick No. 172 Overall: 49ers select RB Ty Chandler, North Carolina

Yes, the 49ers appear poised to have their running back room set for 2022 even after the free-agent departure of Raheem Mostert, even though Mostert only appeared in Week 1 last season before suffering a knee injury that ended his year.

Right now, one would guess second-year pro Elijah Mitchell would be classified as RB1 after his 963-yard effort as a rookie in 2021, supported by fellow second-year pro Trey Sermon, veteran Jeff Wilson Jr. and scatback JaMycal Hasty.

However, Kyle Shanahan has had a knack for overstocking this position in previous years, and the nature of the Niners’ run-first offense creates a need to do so once more.

Plus, there’s Shanahan’s tendency to identify late-round running back gems as he did with Mitchell in Round 6 a year ago.

Perhaps North Carolina running back Ty Chandler, who burst upon the scene with 1,092 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 6 yards a carry last year, is the next in line to do so. With experience in the return game, the 5-foot-11 and 204-pound Chandler is also notably fast, having run a 4.38 40-yard time at the NFL Combine, and all are familiar with how much Shanahan loves speed on the ground.

Targeting Chandler on day three could easily make for an upgraded running back room in 2022.