Who runs the soccer is as fascinating as how a lot and the way far in terms of the 49ers’ multi-dimentional offense.
Could possibly be a conventional working again. Could possibly be a former special-teams speedster. Could possibly be a 1,000-yard vast receiver, or, sure, a dual-threat quarterback.
The amount of choices is dizzying for defenses. It additionally takes a toll on the depth chart, therefore the necessity for Deebo Samuel to step in at midseason final yr and flourish whereas accidents depleted the working again corps.
Changing quarterback Trey Lance to a full-time position will add an additional dimension to the 49ers’ dashing capabilities. Heck, perhaps he’ll be their sixth totally different main rusher in as many seasons below Kyle Shanahan.
Drafting two working backs final yr got here as a shock, however Elijah Mitchell (sixth spherical) and Trey Sermon (third spherical) had been promptly wanted as soon as Raheem Mostert’s 49ers’ tenure ended 4 snaps into the season.
This 49ers’ regime drafted just one working again the earlier 4 seasons – 2017 fourth-round flop Joe Williams – so they could not dedicate one in every of their 9 picks on this draft to the place. If that's the case, a Day 3 flier on a multi-talented speedster matches the invoice.
Former working backs coach Bobby Turner has been instrumental in canvassing prospects every draft, however he’s taking a 2022 sabbatical for well being points, and Anthony Lynn has taken his place.
Let’s set the stage in case the 49ers chase a working again within the April 28-30 draft (or, extra doubtless, afterward with undrafted prospects):
CREAM OF THE CROP
Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State
Evaluation: Don’t be shocked if no working will get drafted within the first spherical, for the primary time because the 2013 and ’14 drafts. However Walker has the very best credentials (Doak Walker Award; AP All-American) after excelling at Michigan State. His 5-foot-9, 211-pound physique ran for 1,636 yards and 18 touchdowns.
49ERS CONNECTION
Breece Corridor, Iowa State
Evaluation: This All-American from Iowa State is a cousin of 49ers legend Roger Craig. Corridor (5-11, 217) rushed for a landing in every of his ultimate 24 video games, a NCAA file. He had 20 multi-touchdown and 100-yard video games. His NFL connection additionally extends to his stepfather, Jeff Smith, a former working again with the Chiefs and Bucs.
‘BAMA BACKS
Go searching NFL backfields and also you’ll see Alabama merchandise, comparable to Derrick Henry (Titans), Najee Harris (Steelers) and Josh Jacobs (Raiders). Effectively, the 49ers reportedly will host Alabama’s Brian Robinson subsequent week, and he definitely had the productiveness to suit the Crimson Tide’s lineage (1,343 dashing yards, 296 receiving yards final season). A former backup to Robinson at Alabama is Jerome Ford, who transferred to Cincinnati in 2020 and thrived for the Bearcats final yr.
SPEED THRILLS
Mitchell ran the 40-yard sprint in below 4.4 seconds at his Louisiana professional day final yr earlier than bringing that pace to the 49ers’. Listed here are the ten quickest 40-yard sprint instances from the NFL scouting mix: Pierre Sprint (South Dakota State) 4.37 seconds, Isiah Pacheco (Rutgers) 4.37, Ty Chandler (North Carolina) 4.38, Walker (Michigan State) 4.38, D’vonte Value (Florida Worldwide) 4.38, Corridor (Iowa State) 4.39, Zamir White (Georgia) 4.40, James Cook dinner (Georgia) 4.42, Tyler Goodson (Iowa) 4.42, Trestan Ebner (Baylor) 4.43.
VERSATILE WEAPONS
What if the Deebo Samuel-role will get reversed, and the 49ers need their high working again to grow to be a go-to receiver, a la the aforementioned Craig, the NFL’s first 1,000/1,000 rusher/receiver in a season in 1985?
Effectively, there’s James Cook dinner, who totaled 1,503 dashing yards and 730 receiving yards in 4 years at Georgia. His older brother is Vikings’ star Dalvin Cook dinner.
Or take a look at Texas A&M’s Isaiah Spiller, who averaged near 1,000 dashing and 200 receiving yards in every of his three seasons.
Different confirmed twin threats in 2021: Badie (1,604 dashing/330 receiving), Corridor (1,464/302), BYU’s Tyler Algeier (1,601/199), Robinson(1,343/296), Duke’s Mataeo Durant (1,241/249), Notre Dame’s Kyren Williams (1,002/359), UNLV’s Charles Williams (1,261/202), Ariona State’s Rasheed White (1,006/334), Baylor’s Trestan Ebner (799/284).
DRAFT ‘EXPERTS’ VIEW
“Two working backs will go in Spherical 2. This isn't a proficient and deep working again group in any respect. After the highest two, there's a enormous drop off. … This working again class could be very mediocre general.” –Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
“I like this working again group. Once more, I don’t suppose there’s going to be one which goes within the first spherical. I believe it is a actually deep group. … You’re going to get an important again within the fourth spherical, particularly if you'd like a much bigger again” – Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Community.
WHO’S HERE: Elijah Mitchell, Jeff Wilson Jr., JaMycal Hasty, Trey Sermon ; fullbacks Kyle Juszczyk and Josh Hokit.
Evaluation: No, Deebo Samuel will not be listed right here, regardless that the beginning vast receiver additionally ran for 502 yards and 9 touchdowns by means of final season’s run to the NFC Championship Recreation. Sure, he stays a floor risk, presuming a contract stalemate doesn’t hinder his 2022 efforts, however let’s have a look at the true solid of working backs. Mitchell is coming off the most efficient rookie season by a 49ers rusher (963 yards in simply 11 video games). Sermon ought to make a much bigger affect than his rookie cameos (167 yards), and so may a more healthy Wilson, whose offseason knee harm hindered him. Maybe the most important returning risk to their dashing assault: Trey Lance, who averaged 4.4 yards per carry in rookie cameos instead of Jimmy Garoppolo.
DRAFT PICKS
Spherical One (none), Two (No. 61 general), Three (Nos. 93, 105), 4 (No. 134), 5 (No. 172), Six (Nos. 187, 220, 221), Seven (No. 262).