49ers rookie No. 1: Running back Tyrion Davis-Price
There are two reasons why the 49ers’ first of two third-round picks, former LSU running back Tyrion Davis-Price, will need to showcase his value during training camp.
The first is quite obvious. Davis-Price was a relatively shocking pick when he was announced at No. 93 overall, and it wasn’t hard to view this particular selection as both a reach and a bit of a waste, considering many a draft expert pegged him as a day-three selection and someone who could have probably been had in Round 5.
Above that, especially in light of the Niners drafting two running backs a year ago (Trey Sermon and Elijah Mitchell), what was the point of adding yet another?
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However, the 6-foot-1 and 232-pound Davis-Price is expected to deliver in a role San Francisco nevertheless struggled in a year ago, the short-yardage ground game, which was made apparent during all those offensive droughts during the playoffs last season. With defenses looking to take away the 49ers’ running game in this context, a player like Davis-Price is anticipated to be a big part of the solution.
And it isn’t as if Round 3 picks are “throwaway” selections anyway.
Davis-Price will need to justify the Niners’ investment in him, both to solidify a key role amid a crowded backfield and to prove he isn’t going to be one of these wasted picks like so many out there likely think he’ll be.