State of the Roster: Running backs matter for 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers have drafted many running backs in the top half of the draft over the years. Some have been hits, like Roger Craig (1983, second round), Ricky Watters (1991, second round), and Frank Gore (2005, third round). Others have been misses, like James Owens (1979, second round), Terrance Flagler (1987, first round), Amp Lee (1992, second round), Glen Coffee (2009, third round), and LaMichael James (2012, second round). Dexter Carter was a solid kick and punt returner for the 49ers in the early 1990s, but he wasn't worth the first-round pick the team used on him in 1990. The current 49ers regime has drafted four running backs within the first four rounds since 2017. Isaac Guerendo, the running back out of Louisville, is the most recent, taken last week in the

The San Francisco 49ers selected Florida State cornerback Renardo Green with the 32nd pick (No. 64 overall) in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The selection came after moving down one spot, trading with the Kansas City Chiefs. Chiefs received: 63rd overall pick and a sixth-round pick (211 overall) 49ers received: 64th overall pick and a fifth-round pick (173 overall) RELATED: 5 things to know about 49ers 2nd-round pick CB Renardo Green College Statistics: Green registered 43 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss, 0.5 sacks, 13 passes defensed, and an interception through 13 game appearances as a senior in 2023, per

The San Francisco 49ers selected Florida State linebacker Tatum Bethune with the 31st pick (No. 251 overall) in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft. RELATED: 5 things to know about 49ers 7th-round pick LB Tatum Bethune College Statistics: Bethune registered 70 tackles, including 5.5 for a loss, three passes defensed, and an interception through 13 game appearances as a senior in 2023, per Sports Reference. Throughout his collegiate career, he recorded 339 tackles, including 28 for a loss, 7.5 sacks, 10 passes defensed, four interceptions,

The presence of Christian McCaffrey automatically makes the San Francisco 49ers running back room among the best in the NFL. The team also has Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason, and Patrick Taylor. There is a common theme within the group—speed. McCaffrey ran the 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine in 2017. Mitchell boasted blazing speed at his local pro day in 2021, estimated to be in the range of 4.32 to 4.38 seconds. Taylor ran a 4.57 time but did so following an earlier Lisfranc injury. On Saturday, the 49ers added another speedy option to the running back room, drafting