Why RB Kaelon Black may not be such a bad pick by the 49ers after all

With the 90th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select running back Kaelon Black, Indiana. Those words set off much of the 49ers fanbase, creating an avalanche of angry reactions. The thought of Head Coach Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch spending yet another third-round pick on a running back was more than many fans could handle.

And for good reason. After all, Lynch and Shanahan had already drafted four running backs (Joe Williams, Trey Sermon, Ty Davis-Price, and Isaac Guerendo) in the third or fourth rounds, only to see that player—for the most part—survive just a season or two.

Guerendo is heading into his third season. He played a lot as a rookie, mostly due to injuries to running backs—Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason—ahead of him. But he barely saw the field last season. And he may not make the team in 2026.

Sermon played only one season for the 49ers. He appeared in nine games and had one touchdown. He was supposed to be the RB to team up with QB Trey Lance. But that's another (depressing) story.

Davis-Price was with the 49ers for two seasons. He appeared in just seven games and rushed for only 120 yards in those two seasons.

Williams didn't even make it to his first regular season. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve right after the preseason due to an ankle injury. He was cut by the team a year later, after spending his entire rookie season on injured reserve.

So, you can understand the frustration of the 49ers fanbase. Especially when many believe Black could have been drafted much later.

But let's pretend draft value isn't really a thing. It's actually not something I concern myself with. If the player turns into a good one, no one will care where he was drafted. Remember, teams draft players whom they believe are a fit for their team. So, a player who is right for one scheme may not be right for another.

But what if Black ends up being a great pick? It's not too far-fetched. He was a key player on a championship team in college. And while that doesn't guarantee any success at the next level, there are a few reasons why fans can be more optimistic that Kaelon Black wasn't such a bad pick:

1. Culture fit

Black not only brings a championship pedigree, but he is the kind of player who positively impacts team culture. I know that won't get fans excited, but it is something that is important to the 49ers.

Larry Krueger, of "The Krueg Show," believes Black will have a positive effect on the 49ers, posting on X what he's been saying for months, "that Black would get my highest grade for a prospect." Krueger added that Black is "what I consider 'a culture player.' He impacts the room and has a leader's presence."

Obviously, the 49ers believe as much. Krueger noted that the team was interested in Black last fall. It sounds like they didn't just fall in love with him at the last minute, but have been interested in the former Hoosier for several months. Players who are leaders can make a big impact on culture by raising the level of those around them. Black is one of those guys.

2. Elite pass-blocker

49ers RB coach Bobby Turner is a stickler for certain things. And pass protection is one of them. If a running back can't protect the quarterback, even as a young player, he won't see the field on offense for the 49ers very much.

That shouldn't be a problem for Black.

I reached out to the guys from the Kirkwood and Dunn Podcast. They cover the University of Indiana sports. After the draft, they posted on X, "The San Francisco 49ers fan reaction to the Kaelon Black draft pick is baffling. Going to be a great back in SF."

I was curious why they believe Black is such a great pick for the 49ers, so I asked why they thought he'd make such a big impact. They replied, describing Black as a "Tough, fall-forward back…elite pass blocker, [who] will be a good safety blanket for Brock Purdy. Just going to be a good between-the-tackle back that [the] 49ers will have some options with him on the field."

They're not the first (or latest) I've heard reference Black's pass block skills. John Chapman, of "49ers Rush Podcast," said Black's "elite pass protection on third downs is undeniable."

Adjusting to pass blocking in the NFL is difficult for any rookie. But it sounds like Black might be one who can handle it. And that could prove helpful to the 49ers.

3. Under-the-radar receiver

I was initially confused when the 49ers drafted Black. Not so much because it was in the third round, but because he didn't seem like the kind of pick Shanahan would make. After all, the 49ers coach told the media earlier this spring that he wanted to find a running back who was similar to McCaffrey in skill set so that he could call plays and not worry about who was on the field at the time. He mentioned that there were times last season he called a play, not realizing Turner had sent Brian Robinson, Jr. in, while giving McCaffrey a breather. He wanted a running back who could do most of what McCaffrey does. At first, I didn't think Black was that guy.

But perhaps he can be. Longtime 49ers Webzone contributor Al Sacco pointed out that while Black wasn't used as a receiver much at Indiana, he was before he arrived at IU.

"Black had 44 catches in 2022-23 at James Madison," Sacco wrote. "Indiana just didn't throw much to their backs. Their top 4 RBs had 23 catches combined last season. I think [the] 49ers would use that skill set more if/when he gets on the field. He's also a terrific blocker."

Perhaps Shanahan believes Black can be used more as a receiver out of the backfield. As you'll recall, he took TE George Kittle, who had only 48 receptions in four years at Iowa, and turned him into a pass-catching monster. Kittle had almost as many receptions in his rookie season as he had in his college career. And in his second NFL season, Kittle had 88 receptions for 1,377 yards, while making the first of his seven Pro Bowls.

I'm not saying Black will be anything like Kittle. But perhaps, in the right system, he can do things in the pros that he didn't do on a collegiate level.

Former NFL QB Kurt Benkert said of Black, "He's exactly the type of guy west coast coaches LOVE. Reliable in pass protection, understanding of the scheme, yards after contact, and can catch out of the backfield."

4. Will play as a rookie

One critique I've heard of Black being drafted in the third round is that some believe it's too high a price to pay for a running back who won't play much. But what if Shanahan stays true to his word and actually uses McCaffrey less? If that happens, Black will play more than many think he will. And if McCaffrey misses any time, which is possible considering the load he carried last season, then Black will see even more action.

I guess there are some reasons to be hopeful for this pick. Now it's up to Black to turn that hope into reality. Maybe this wasn't such a bad pick after all.