Why the 49ers Will Target a Running Back in the 2026 NFL Draft

All signs are pointing towards the 49ers drafting a running back once again.

Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The 2026 NFL draft in Pittsburgh is steadily approaching. All eyes will be on that now for the San Francisco 49ers after a successful free agency period.

They’ll be hoping to translate that success to the draft, which is something they haven’t done too well at. Part of that has been because they tend to draft for need instead of the best player available.

There’s a good chance that the 49ers end up doing that again with a few picks. One of these picks will likely end up being a running back, which no one should be surprised about. 

Anticipate the 49ers targeting a RB 

Nov 15, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Virginia Cavaliers running back J'Mari Taylor (3) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images | Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

The 49ers did not go out and sign a veteran to back up Christian McCaffrey to ease up his workload. Now, that’s partly due to several free agents being too costly to be a backup.

The 49ers needed to sign someone who is low-cost. And after letting Brian Robinson Jr. depart for the Atlanta Falcons, the 49ers only have Jordan James, Isaac Guerendo, and Patrick Taylor Jr.

All signs point to the 49ers targeting a running back in the upcoming draft. That’s not enough for the 49ers to go into the 2026 season with.

Considering a running back in the draft, on Day 3 especially, should be expected of the 49ers. As much as Kyle Shanahan is high on James, he hasn’t proven anything. 

Guerendo was solid in his rookie season, but Shanahan didn’t think he was good last year. That’s unlikely to change in 2026. As for Taylor, he’s just an emergency filler. 

Jun 11, 2025; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James (29) catches a pass during a team OTA at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Everything is lined up perfectly for the 49ers to go after another running back in the draft again. I’d imagine Guerendo will be the odd man out if they do draft one.

They’ll conduct a competition in training camp, and as long as the rookie running back proves decent, Guerendo will be cut. Shanahan and the 49ers have lost belief in him.

A couple of prospects the 49ers could draft on Day 3 are Wake Forest’s Demond Claiborne and Virginia’s J’Mari Taylor. Both are speedy players with solid short-area quickness.

Although Taylor has the more proven pass-catching ability. The 49ers will want their running backs to be interchangeable and not drastically different from McCaffrey.

Whenever they end up drafting, it’ll surely put an end to Guerendo’s tenure. And with no veteran left to sign, the 49ers will inevitably draft a running back as always.

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