The San Francisco 49ers had a controversial 2026 NFL Draft, and it seems pretty clear that selecting running back Kaelon Black in the third round was the most controversial pick of the bunch.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan inadvertently put a lot of pressure on the young Indiana product and Black is already feeling it.
Shanahan said the Niners had Black as the second-best running back going into the draft. That seems somewhat hard to believe, considering running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price both went in Round 1,, to two NFC West rivals in the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks, respectively. But if one takes Shanahan at his word, that’s putting quite a bit of pressure on Black.
Here is what the 24-year-old had to say about Shanahan’s remarks:
“It makes me want to go harder, man. I gotta prove my coach right. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t seen the backlash he’s been getting for the pick, but we just stay the course, stay focused, and we’re gonna keep moving to try and prove him right.”
With the social media world we live in, it’s inevitable that Black would hear, read, or see some of the blowback to his selection. Based on that quote, it seems like he has the right mindset by trying to prove his coach right, but playing in the NFL is hard enough without the added burden of having to justify where you were selected in the draft.
Obviously, Shanahan and the 49ers weren’t thinking that when they drafted him. Less charitable critics would say they weren’t thinking at all and are doomed to repeat history with yet another running back bust in the third round, but maybe the Niners taking him higher than even he figured he’d go will provide a boost of belief in his own abilities.
While many were critical of the pick, NFL analyst Greg Cosell said the pick makes sense for the Niners. If everything goes according to plan, Black will only get carries this season to spell Christian McCaffrey. Yet, if McCaffrey goes down, and it’s another 2024 where the Niners are seemingly cycling through another running back every week, then Black may be in for a baptism by fire.
He probably doesn’t need any more heat, though, because Shanahan provided an ample amount with his comments. Maybe that vote of confidence will bring out the best in Black, but it could just as easily make him feel like he has to do extra to justify being a third-round pick.
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