Additionally, San Francisco's recent track record of drafting running backs hasn't been good. In recent years, the 49ers have had limited success at the position.
The team selected Jordan James in 2025, and he logged just three offensive snaps as a rookie. Isaac Guerendo was drafted in 2024 and has already been viewed as a roster bubble player.
The 49ers selected Tyrion Davis-Price in 2022. He is no longer in the league. Elijah Mitchell and Trey Sermon were drafted in 2021. Neither is on the roster.
Joe Williams, whom head coach Kyle Shanahan personally campaigned for in 2017, never appeared in a regular-season game.
Black is fully aware of that narrative—and he is determined to break the trend.
"I know one of the things I was hit with before was San Francisco has a habit of drafting running backs in the third to the fifth round, and they don't play or they don't pan out, and I'm just trying to change that narrative for myself," Black told Noah Furtado of the San Francisco Chronicle.
"I don't want to get grouped with anybody in the past. I'm really just in my own lane, it's how I've been my whole life."
The criticism surrounding the 49ers' decision to select him higher than expected has also become an added motivation.
"It makes me want to go harder," Black said earlier this month. "I gotta prove my coach right. I'd be lying if I said I haven't seen the backlash that he's been getting for the pick, but we just stay the course, we stay focused, and we're going to keep moving and try to prove him right."
Heading into the draft, the 49ers graded Black as the second-best running back among all the prospects. Few likely agreed with that assessment.
"That's just our evaluation of him. Right or wrong, that's our evaluation," Shanahan said.
With organized team activities beginning this week, Black will get his first real opportunity to show why the 49ers were confident in the pick—and begin carving out a role in the team's ground attack.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Robert Saleh names 49ers' biggest rookie surprise from last season
The San Francisco 49ers invested heavily in their defense during the 2025 NFL Draft, using six of their 11 selections on defensive players, including each of their first five picks. One rookie, however, stood out more than the rest to former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert... -
49ers rookie prediction highlights concerns about key offensive weapon
San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey is coming off an NFL Comeback Player of the Year campaign. In 2025, he totaled an impressive 2,126 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns, reestablishing himself as one of the NFL's most dynamic offensive weapons. McCaffrey... -
49ers roster battles: The undrafted rookie sleepers to watch
Every year, one or two undrafted rookies force the San Francisco 49ers to rethink their roster. From Matt Breida and Emmanuel Moseley to Jordan Mason, Jeff Wilson, Jr., and Azeez Al-Shaair, the 49ers have seen rookies earn opportunities after entering the league without hearing... -
49ers training camp: Four draft picks to watch closely this summer
With San Francisco 49ers rookies officially reporting to the SAP Performance Facility on July 18, all eyes will be on the team's newest draft class as first-year players look to prove they can contribute during the 2026 NFL season. The good news for the 49ers is that there are...