Overview
- Head coach Kyle Shanahan said on The Rich Eisen Show that San Francisco graded Indiana’s Kaelon Black as the draft’s second-best running back, explaining the choice as an internal evaluation that differed from public rankings.
- Black went No. 90 overall as the first 2026 draftee who did not attend the NFL Combine, and he brings a compact 5-foot-9¾, 208-pound frame, a reported 4.45 speed, and 1,040 rushing yards with 10 touchdowns last season.
- The selection drew scrutiny because recent 49ers running back picks have yielded limited production, yet the staff values depth behind high-usage starter Christian McCaffrey and views Black as a potential change-of-pace option.
- Division dynamics factored into the draft’s storyline, with ESPN reporting Seattle took Jadarian Price at No. 32 amid concern rivals, including the 49ers, might try to grab him early in Round 2.
- Across fantasy coverage and betting markets, Jeremiyah Love has consolidated as the top rookie and Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite, while Black is grouped as a longer-shot candidate in a broad second tier.