The San Francisco 49ers have a running back problem—and it’s not about talent, it’s about strategy. For the third consecutive year, the team used a draft pick on a running back, and the results are starting to raise eyebrows. In 2024, they selected Isaac Guerendo from Louisville in the third round. In 2025, it was Oregon’s Jordan James in the fifth round. And now, in this year’s draft, they’ve added Indiana’s Kaelon Black, also in the third round.

Let’s be clear: this isn’t about the players themselves. Each of these backs has the potential to contribute. But when you’re spending premium draft capital on depth pieces who only see the field if Christian McCaffrey gets hurt, you have to ask: is this really the best use of resources?

The 49ers aren’t building a split backfield here. Without an injury to McCaffrey, Guerendo, James, and Black are all likely watching from the sideline. In fact, Guerendo—who filled in admirably for a stretch in 2024—didn’t log a single touch in 2025 and now finds himself on the roster bubble. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a third-round pick.

Here’s the real issue: every new running back selection is essentially an admission that the last one didn’t work out. The team is telling you exactly what they think of Guerendo and James. If Guerendo was solid during his time on the field, why draft James? If James can fill in for McCaffrey, why draft Black? It’s a cycle that keeps repeating itself, and it’s not just a coincidence—it’s a flawed process.

The 49ers have a history of finding productive backs in the later rounds or even among undrafted free agents. Elijah Mitchell burst onto the scene as a late-round pick. Jordan Mason, an undrafted free agent, finally got his chance and performed well enough that the team traded him to Minnesota to move up in the draft. The formula has worked before, so why abandon it now?

At the end of the day, the 49ers’ approach to drafting running backs feels broken. Ideally, they won’t need anyone to step in for McCaffrey. But if they do, the question isn’t whether these players can produce—it’s whether the team’s strategy is sustainable. For now, it looks like they’re hoping the next pick will finally be the one that sticks.