Seahawks expected 49ers to target a running back early in the draft

The San Francisco 49ers drew criticism for selecting running back Kaelon Black in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Few analysts projected Black to go that high, and even fewer viewed running back as a top priority for San Francisco entering the draft.

However, one NFC West rival appeared to anticipate the 49ers' interest in the position—the Seattle Seahawks. Acting on that belief, Seattle selected running back Jadarian Price with the No. 32 overall pick, one spot ahead of San Francisco.

The 49ers, who held the No. 33 selection, ultimately went in a different direction, choosing wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling. They later added edge rusher Romello Height at No. 70 before selecting Black at No. 90 overall.

According to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, citing ESPN's Brady Henderson, the Seahawks were concerned the 49ers might target a running back with their first pick. That fear might have influenced Seattle's selection at the end of the first round.

It's worth noting that the 49ers admitted that, internally, they viewed Black as the second-best running back in the draft class.

"We thought he was the—trying to think of the way to word this—but we had him as the second-rated back on the board," head coach Kyle Shanahan said. "That's just our evaluation of him."

It's a bold view that almost no one outside the organization shared, which led to criticism of the selection and label from "experts," who said the pick was a reach.

Interestingly, Branch connected the dots on one possible reason why the Seahawks might have believed that running back was the 49ers' target with their first selection.

"Seattle's new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury, who was hired on Feb. 19, has unique insight into how the 49ers view their running back position, which is headlined by almost-30-year-old Christian McCaffrey," Branch wrote. "Before joining the Seahawks, Fleury, formerly the 49ers' tight ends coach, ended his seven-season tenure with the team in 2025 by also serving as head coach Kyle Shanahan's run-game coordinator."

Branch speculates that the selection of Black may signal more than just added depth. It could point to a plan for the future at the position, with McCaffrey getting older.

McCaffrey remains highly productive, totaling 2,126 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns last season. While 1,202 of those yards were on the ground, his 3.9 yards per carry marked his lowest average since 2020 and the third-lowest of his career.

Additionally, the 49ers' rushing attack has declined in recent years—ranking No. 3 in 2023, No. 12 in 2024, and No. 24 in 2025.

"But the selection of Black, whom the 49ers graded as the draft's second-best running back, suggests the organization might think McCaffrey's expiration date is looming," Branch wrote. "That is, don't bet on the 49ers signing McCaffrey to an extension before his contract expires after the 2027 season."

Black flew under the radar in most NFL circles. He wasn't even invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. However, his 4.45-second 40-yard dash time at his pro day would have ranked sixth among the backs in attendance. That, along with his physical playing style, was enough to catch the attention of the 49ers.

"The physicality he ran with, how he broke tackles when he did get into open space, how he didn't sit there and stutter his feet, he just broke to open spots and got yards," Shanahan said.

Whether Black justifies his draft slot will ultimately depend on his future role and production with the team. However, it's clear the 49ers believe he can be a key piece moving forward.