49ers doing extensive pre-draft work on Arkansas RB Mike Washington Jr.

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey made it through last season relatively unscathed—an encouraging sign after an injury-plagued 2024 campaign.

While there's no question who will lead the backfield in 2026, uncertainty remains regarding the primary backup. That role belonged to Brian Robinson Jr. last season, but he has since moved on to the Atlanta Falcons.

The 49ers have several in-house options, including Jordan James, Isaac Guerendo, and Patrick Taylor. However, given their track record of drafting a running back in four of the last five years, it wouldn't be shocking to see San Francisco address the position again—even with just six selections.

According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, the 49ers have been doing significant scouting work on former Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr., a prospect projected as a potential Day 2 pick or early Day 3 selection.

"I heard that they're doing a lot of work on Mike Washington, who might be the third-best running back in the draft," Barrows said on the 49ers +/- podcast with Tim Kawakami.

Still, Barrows cautioned against reading too much into the interest, noting that running backs coach Bobby Turner is always heavily involved in evaluating prospects.

"Bobby Turner calls every running back like thirty, forty times, so every agent out there thinks that, oh, 49ers love my guy because Bobby Turner's on the phone," Barrows said. "But he does that every year."

Washington impressed at the NFL Scouting Combine, measuring 6-foot-1 and 223 pounds while posting a 4.33-second 40-yard dash, a 39-inch vertical jump, and a 10-foot-8 broad jump.

He spent three seasons at Buffalo, one at New Mexico State, and his final collegiate season at Arkansas. Over his career, Washington totaled 2,914 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns while averaging 5.0 yards per carry, according to Sports Reference. He also contributed 73 receptions for 470 yards and three receiving touchdowns.

In 2025, Washington led the Razorbacks with 1,070 rushing yards and added eight rushing touchdowns, 226 receiving yards, and one receiving score, earning second-team All-SEC honors.

H/t to Coach Yac for the find.