Depth behind Hyde should be a concern for 49ers
While running back Carlos Hyde enters 2016 as the undisputed starting running back, his durability issues should have the 49ers concerned about the men they have lined up to potentially replace him.The running back depth chart currently features the returning Hyde, Shaun Draughn, DuJuan Harris, Mike Davis and Kendall Gaskins, joined this offseason by sixth round pick Kelvin Taylor. The backfield became slightly less crowded when Jarryd Hayne decided to return to professional rugby early on in the off-season. While Hyde still looks the part of an every down, Pro Bowl caliber running back, his durability over the first two seasons of his NFL career leaves a huge amount of uncertainty entering 2016.
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Compounding that issue is the extreme lack of experience or proven ability amongst those competing to be Hyde’s backups. The team liked enough of what they saw out of Shaun Draughn over the course of the final six games of last season to sign him to a one year contract extension. The 28 year old Draughn is unspectacular as a rusher, having averaged only 3.5 yards per carry over the course of his career, which is the exact same figure he managed with the 49ers in 2016. Draughn did however display a nice ability as a receiver out of the backfield, a trait which Chip Kelly surely noted when evaluating the incumbent pieces on the 49ers roster. He has also only lost one fumble on his 151 career carries and should be able to retain the top backup spot.
2015 fourth round pick Mike Davis could potentially have the shortest leash of the candidates. He played in only six games as a rookie while managing only a 1.7 yards per carry average on 35 rushing attempts. He was the least effective of any running back who saw playing time in 2015, including Jarryd Hayne. Davis looks like the least likely candidate on the roster to stick once the season opens.
Kelvin Taylor lacks great speed or quickness, yet has the advanced understanding of the position that you’d expect from the son of one of the most productive running backs of the last two decades, Fred Taylor. Much like Davis a year prior, Taylor won’t likely see much playing time barring a barrage of injuries. Yet as we saw in 2015, the running back position is a brutal one and guys can go down in a hurry.
The wild card in the group could be wide receiver Bruce Ellington. Kelly went out of his way this off-season to compliment the versatility and athleticism of Ellington and he could have a hybrid role in mind for him. Much like the Percy Harvin’s and Darren Sproles’ of the world, Ellington isn’t quite fast enough to excel at wide receiver, and not quite big big enough to play running back. Yet, what he has are an abundance of play-making skills. He is strong, possesses good hands, shifty in tight spaces and tough. Whether Kelly lines him up in the backfield, the slot or out wide, Ellington could pose a matchup threat wherever he is.
The hope is for Hyde to stay healthy for 16 games and be the big time running back we thought he was when he was the third running back selected in the 2014 draft. There aren’t any great options left if he fails to do so.
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