The San Francisco 49ers made some important offseason moves this year. They added some key players in free agency, made a blockbuster trade and drafted a bunch of players who could contribute in 2026.
However, not every move was lauded. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell picked out every team’s worst offseason move and named the selection of Indiana running back Kaelon Black as the biggest blunder of the spring for San Francisco.
The 49ers naturally hope and expect that Black, their third-round pick, won’t follow in the footsteps of Isaac Guerendo, Tyrion Davis-Price, Trey Sermon and Joe Williams, all backs Shanahan added in the middle rounds of drafts before quickly losing interest. However, ESPN’s Jordan Reid had Black as the 177th-best prospect in the draft on his board, and ESPN’s Matt Miller placed Black at No. 226. Shanahan pounced on Black at pick No. 90. I’d give one of the league’s best coaches some benefit of the doubt with his running back evaluations, but that might not be warranted given the evidence.
If the 49ers’ worst move was taking a flier on a young running back, then that’s a pretty good offseason for head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch. While Black may not have been the best pick, the team didn’t have a true backup plan for Christian McCaffrey after Brian Robinson Jr. signed with the Atlanta Falcons.
Black has already noted the recent history of the position on the 49ers and wants to change the perception. He’ll have a great chance to take on a big role behind McCaffrey if he can beat out Jordan James and Isaac Guerendo this offseason. The former Indiana star isn’t a perfect prospect but proved in college and in the pre-draft process that he has a solid skillset to bring to the NFL.
Could the 49ers have gone in another direction with the No. 90 pick? Sure. But the draft is all about taking risks. One of these days, a mid-round running back will work out. Right?
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers draft pick RB Kaelon Black tabbed as SF’s ‘worst’ offseason move
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