There was no shortage of criticism when the San Francisco 49ers used the 90th overall pick of the NFL Draft on running back Kaelon Black. Many analysts and fans viewed the selection as a reach, believing Black was taken much earlier than he should have been.
One respected evaluator who disagrees with that assessment is NFL analyst Greg Cosell. In fact, Cosell believes Black has a legitimate opportunity to carve out a significant role in the 49ers' offense as the primary backup to All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey.
"I really liked his tape a lot," Cosell said on the Ross Tucker Podcast. "I think that he fits the way the 49ers play offense. He's tough. He's physical. He's got some juice to him. He gets hard yards. It would not surprise me if he earns the job as the backup to McCaffrey, because I thought his tape was really, really good."
"I really liked his tape a LOT…"
"He's tough. He's physical. He's got some juice to him…"@GregCosell is a BIG fan of 49ers RB Kaelon Black: pic.twitter.com/g8e5Zt9u41
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) June 11, 2026
Black broke out in 2025, rushing for 1,040 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 5.6 yards per carry. He produced those numbers despite sharing carries with Roman Hemby, helping lead Indiana to a national championship.
The rookie has also made a strong early impression on his new teammates.
"He's been great," McCaffrey said. "He's been everything you would want in a rookie—super attentive in meetings, does everything right, has a bunch of talent, and complements our room really well."
McCaffrey also highlighted Black's ability to absorb information quickly, a critical trait for any running back looking to earn playing time in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense.
Seven-time Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle offered a simple but revealing assessment when asked about his early impressions of the rookie.
"Very fast," Kittle said. "Very fast and very mature."
While Black still has plenty to prove before the regular season begins, the early reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. Between Cosell's endorsement and the praise coming from veteran teammates, the rookie appears well-positioned to earn a meaningful role with his new team.
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