49ers roster 2023: Khalan Laborn the next undrafted running back gem?

The 49ers have had some luck with undrafted running backs before, and Khalan Laborn hopes that'll apply to him, too.

Ever since Kyle Shanahan took over as head coach in 2017, the San Francisco 49ers have had some serious success with undrafted running backs.

They inherited Raheem Mostert, who went on to lead the team in rushing in 2019 and was a massive part of that season's Super Bowl push. Fellow undrafted free agent Matt Breida held the Niners' rushing title the year before, while 2022 UDFA runner Jordan Mason made some positive headway his rookie season, too.

San Francisco didn't necessarily need to add a running back this offseason, but it grabbed two undrafted players anyway following its picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, UTEP's Ronald Awatt and Marshall's Khalan Laborn.

While the 49ers likely have their first couple of spots behind Christian McCaffrey on the running back depth chart set already, players like Awatt and Laborn could be fighting for what'd likely be a fourth and final slot.

After transferring from Florida State to Marshall, Laborn had the production in 2022 to suggest he could be an impact player at the next level.

Especially if the Niners' noted trend of identifying undrafted gems at the position continues.

Why did Khalan Laborn go undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft?

There's probably a myriad of reasons why Laborn didn't hear his name called over the three days of the 2022 draft, but the biggest might be the fact he was dismissed from FSU for violating team rules.

It's pretty vague why Laborn was dismissed, and FSU didn't officially say the reasons behind the decision.

Either way, though, it was a red flag.

By all accounts, however, Laborn ensured he would be a vital piece for Marshall after getting a second chance there, although the small-school competition likely didn't help his draft stock much anyway.

Why do the 49ers like Khalan Laborn?

Niner Noise's resident NFL Draft expert, Jeremy Wohlfart, sang Laborn's praises in his Undrafted Corner series while also pointing out the red flags that followed the 5-foot-10, 204-pound running back from FSU to Marshall.

Wohlfart said:

"After the transition, though, Laborn made the most of his opportunity for Marshall with 302 carries for 1,513 yards and 16 touchdowns while also having 16 receptions for 116 yards. He followed that up with an exceptional Pro Day, too, with Sports Illustrated noting that his 40-yard dash would’ve ranked sixth among running backs at the NFL Combine, his 3-cone-drill would have been top of the board, his broad jump tied for third, his vertical jump would have been third, and bench press would have been second.

In short, one of the best testers among all running backs, period. With only one full season under his belt, Laborn has a lot of untapped potential and not a lot of proverbial wear on the tires also."

Laborn also seems to fit in the hybrid outside-zone blocking system Shanahan operates, which will require running backs to decisively hit holes on cutbacks when they open up.

While the sample size is small, it appears as if he possesses those traits.

Will Khalan Laborn make 49ers' 53-man roster in 2023?

It's not an easy path for Laborn to make San Francisco's 53-man roster, given that there are four other returning veterans vying for spots on the depth chart.

McCaffrey is the bona fide No. 1, no questions. Behind him, it's a little more fluid with Mason, Elijah Mitchell and Tyrion Davis-Price all looking to carve out their roles. With Awatt also looking to push out Laborn from the back end of the depth chart, the latter will have to establish himself as a winner over both his fellow UDFA and at least one of the 49ers' returning veterans.

Beating out Davis-Price would probably be the best bet.

It's not out of the realm of possibility either, as Davis-Price fell out of favor with Shanahan last season and fell down the depth chart behind Mason.

Combined with Mitchell's injury history, there is a legitimate shot for Laborn to stick around.

The safe bet, though, is likely seeing Mason a lot during the preseason but landing on the practice squad to kick off the regular season, potentially working his way up as a midseason call-up.

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