Former NFL running backs envision Dion Lewis to 49ers and Carlos Hyde to Colts

By David Bonilla Mar 6, 2018 at 5:50 PM •





The San Francisco 49ers might be one of the running back-needy teams this offseason.



Former NFL running backs LaDainian Tomlinson and Terrell Davis



Dion Lewis

Where does Davis envision New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis landing?



"The 49ers," he said. "I'm thinking about it. Kyle Shanahan had that big, remarkable year in Atlanta. You had [Tevin] Coleman down there. You had [Devonta] Freeman. You put a guy like Dion Lewis in your offense, that really makes an offense explosive with Jimmy G. It's just another weapon.



"Obviously, you have to go out there and get another running back to compliment him, but I think Dion Lewis would fit nicely in San Francisco."



Of course, the 49ers do have another running back in Matt Breida, who is entering his second NFL season. In 2017, the undrafted rookie carried the football 105 times for 465 rushing yards, an average of 4.4 yards per carry, and two touchdowns. He also had 21 receptions for 180 yards with a touchdown.







Carlos Hyde

What team does Tomlinson see as a good fit for 49ers running back Carlos Hyde?



"How about the Colts? They just got rid of Frank Gore, and I believe they need a running game, there's no question about it," he said. "They want Saquon Barkley, let's not get it twisted, but he won't be there at number three. This is the guy you settle on, which is a pretty good guy to settle on -- Carlos Hyde."



The 49ers have shown some interest in having Hyde return to the team in 2018 and were scheduled to meet with his agent at the NFL Scouting Combine. However, no contract appears to be imminent with San Francisco expected to let the running back test the open market.



2017 was the first year that saw Hyde start all 16 games in a season. He carried the football 240 times for 938 yards, eight touchdowns, and had a career-high 59 receptions for 350 yards. Hyde had five games with at least one touchdown, which includes three with multiple scores. Le'Veon Bell is not leaving Pittsburgh after the Steelers used the franchise tag to ensure the running back stays put for at least one more season. There are only a handful of teams with draft picks high enough to acquire former Penn State running back Saquon Barkley. That means the value for the running backs about to hit free agency increases.The San Francisco 49ers might be one of the running back-needy teams this offseason.Former NFL running backs LaDainian Tomlinson and Terrell Davis were on NFL Network on Tuesday and tried to predict where some of those ball carriers might land.Where does Davis envision New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis landing?"The 49ers," he said. "I'm thinking about it. Kyle Shanahan had that big, remarkable year in Atlanta. You had [Tevin] Coleman down there. You had [Devonta] Freeman. You put a guy like Dion Lewis in your offense, that really makes an offense explosive with Jimmy G. It's just another weapon."Obviously, you have to go out there and get another running back to compliment him, but I think Dion Lewis would fit nicely in San Francisco."Of course, the 49ers do have another running back in Matt Breida, who is entering his second NFL season. In 2017, the undrafted rookie carried the football 105 times for 465 rushing yards, an average of 4.4 yards per carry, and two touchdowns. He also had 21 receptions for 180 yards with a touchdown.As for Lewis, Pro Football Talk reported last week that the 49ers could be among several NFL teams interested in the impending free agent. In 2017, he started eight regular season games for the Patriots and rushed for 896 yards on 180 carries (5.0 yards per carry average) with six touchdowns. Lewis also had 32 receptions for 214 yards and three touchdowns.What team does Tomlinson see as a good fit for 49ers running back Carlos Hyde?"How about the Colts? They just got rid of Frank Gore, and I believe they need a running game, there's no question about it," he said. "They want Saquon Barkley, let's not get it twisted, but he won't be there at number three. This is the guy you settle on, which is a pretty good guy to settle on -- Carlos Hyde."The 49ers have shown some interest in having Hyde return to the team in 2018 and were scheduled to meet with his agent at the NFL Scouting Combine. However, no contract appears to be imminent with San Francisco expected to let the running back test the open market.2017 was the first year that saw Hyde start all 16 games in a season. He carried the football 240 times for 938 yards, eight touchdowns, and had a career-high 59 receptions for 350 yards. Hyde had five games with at least one touchdown, which includes three with multiple scores.

More San Francisco 49ers News

NFL.com ranks 49ers' Raheem Mostert No. 11 among running backs after Week 1

By David Bonilla Sep 17, 2020

Former NFL running back turned NFL Media analyst Maurice Jones-Drew ranked his top 15 running backs, as he will do each week. San Francisco 49ers back Raheem Mostert came in at No. 11 on the list after one week's worth of NFL games. Mostert earned his first career NFL start. That's right. In his sixth NFL season, Mostert finally made his first start on Sunday. Yes, he led the team in rushing last season but wasn't on the field with his teammates during the first offensive snap of any game. Mostert showed off his versatility on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, rushing for 56 yards on 15 attempts and hauling in four passes for 95 yards and

49ers-Cardinals: Niners name WR Kevin White, DE Dion Jordan among protected practice squad players

By David Bonilla Sep 8, 2020

In addition to increasing NFL practice squads to 16 players this season, teams can protect four of those players each week from being signed to other rosters. NFL teams can also elevate practice squad players to the active roster up to 90 minutes before kickoff. The following four players are the practice squad members who the San Francisco 49ers plan to protect heading into their Week 1 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, according to ESPN. C Hroniss Grasu CB Dontae Johnson DE Dion Jordan WR Kevin

Frank Gore's former 49ers coach once praised the running back in a hilarious way

By David Bonilla Sep 17, 2020

The San Francisco 49ers could see a healthy dose of Frank Gore on Sunday when they travel to MetLife Stadium to play the New York Jets. The running back remains the 49ers' all-time rushing leader. He started his career with the team, played 10 seasons with San Francisco, and remains a fan favorite. Gore even has admirers on the current 49ers roster. Running back Raheem Mostert once asked former Niners tackle Joe Staley about Gore. Staley and Gore played eight seasons together. "I asked him, 'What does it take for a guy like me to be like Frank Gore?'" Mostert shared this past offseason. "Because Frank Gore is my idol. I love watching him play, and I know that Joe was blocking