The 49ers surprised everyone by selecting Black in Round 3 of the NFL Draft. He's coming off a solid season for the Hoosiers in 2025 with 186 carries for 1,040 yards and 10 touchdowns and four catches for 36 yards in 16 games, but he turns 25 in October and joins a crowded running back room. Christian McCaffrey remains the lead running back for San Francisco, and Black will compete with Jordan James and Isaac Guerendo for backup duties. The winner of that battle could be an important Fantasy asset as a handcuff since McCaffrey turns 30 in June and just had 450 total touches in 2025. But it also could be a committee if McCaffrey were to miss any time. We'll keep an eye on what happens in training camp, and Black could be a great selection with a late-round pick in all Fantasy leagues. In rookie-only drafts for Dynasty leagues, Black is worth drafting in Round 3. If things go right for Black, he could be the running back of the future in San Francisco in 2027 and beyond.
Fantasy News
49ers' Kaelon Black: Averages 7.0 yards per carry
Rotowire
Black rushed four times for 28 yards and failed to bring in his only target in the 49ers' 18-12 preseason win over the Raiders on Thursday.
Black didn't log a touch on the 49ers' opening three-and-out possession, but he gained 11 yards on back-to-back carries to start San Francisco's second drive. The rookie third-round pick then recorded his game-high 14 yard run on the last play of the first quarter, rounding out his relatively brief night in encouraging fashion. Black put together a solid two-game preseason during which he rushed 12 times for 61 yards, but his primary competition for the No. 2 running back role, Jordan James, had a productive night himself Thursday with 55 yards from scrimmage on nine touches. Consequently, it's possible the two backs share complementary work behind Christian McCaffrey (undisclosed) to open the regular season.
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49ers' Kaelon Black: Logs eight carries in preseason win
Rotowire
Black rushed eight times for 33 yards and wasn't targeted in the 49ers' 41-17 preseason win over the Chargers on Thursday night.
The rookie third-round pick operated as the starting running back with Christian McCaffrey (undisclosed) inactive, and Black immediately recorded a five-yard gain on the 49ers' first play from scrimmage. The Indiana product also had eight- and nine-yard runs on San Francisco' second possession as he continued to make a strong case for the No. 2 job to open the regular season. Black saw backfield mate Sincere McCormick put together an impressive 6-53-1 line on the ground Thursday as well, but the former likely has the inside track to serve as McCaffrey's primary backup in a backfield where Jordan James (ribs) and Isaac Guerendo (PUP-pectoral) are also vying for roles.
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49ers' Kaelon Black: Shines in return to practice
Rotowire
Black (thigh) looked like himself at Tuesday's practice, Grant Cohn of SI.com reports.
Black has been sidelined since Aug. 3 due to an adductor injury, but his return to the practice field Tuesday was a welcome sight for an RB room that currently is without Christian McCaffrey (undisclosed), Jordan James (ribs) and Isaac Guerendo (pectoral, active/PUP). Black, a rookie third-round pick, now is the top healthiest player at the position ahead of Patrick Taylor, Sincere McCormick and Zamir White on the 49ers roster.
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49ers' Kaelon Black: Returns to practice
Rotowire
Black (thigh) is back in uniform for Tuesday's practice session, Matt Barrows of The Athletic
This is significant for the rookie, as Black had been sidelined since the first week of camp due to an adductor injury. Black is jockeying for position in the 49ers' backfield behind Christian McCaffrey and has to make up for lost time. Any ability to show some flash over the remainder of the preseason would help Black's case for playing time versus Jordan James (ribs) and Patrick Taylor.
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49ers' Kaelon Black: Not participating in Thursday's contest
Rotowire
Black (thigh) will not play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Titans, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Black is competing for one of the relief running back roles behind Christian McCaffrey (undisclosed), so the sooner the 2026 third-rounder gets back on the field, the better. With primary competition Jordan James (ribs) also out for Thursday's game, Patrick Taylor, Sincere McCormick, Khalil Herbert and Zamir White will get a chance to prove they should be in the conversation for spots on the 53-man roster.
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49ers' Kaelon Black: Dealing with adductor injury
Rotowire
Black is missing Monday's practice due to an adductor injury, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Black now is one of three 49ers running backs tending to a health concern -- also, Jordan James (ribs) and Isaac Guerendo (pectoral) -- leaving Patrick Taylor, Sincere McCormick and Khalil Herbert to handle reps behind No. 1 option Christian McCaffrey. A third-round pick in this year's draft, Black will have a prime chance to compete for the direct backup role once he's healthy, especially since James is out indefinitely with fractured ribs.
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49ers' Kaelon Black: Opportunity knocks
Rotowire
Black has an opportunity to handle the bulk of No. 2 running back role behind Christian McCaffrey early in training camp after Jordan James suffered a fractured rib on Tuesday, David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reports.
Black will look to make the most of his immediate opportunities at camp, with Vic Tafur of The Athletic noting that the rookie third-rounder had already gotten off to a strong start. While James should still be ready in advance of Week 1, his grasp on the No. 2 backfield role could lessen if Black is able to continue stringing together momentum. Isaac Guerendo (pectoral) also began training camp on the active/PUP list, leaving Patrick Taylor and Sincere McCormick as Black's main current competition for reps. Given these developments, Black's average fantasy draft position will figure to rise in advance of the preseason.
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49ers' Kaelon Black: In RB2 mix behind CMC
Rotowire
Black is set to compete with recent draft picks Jordan James and Isaac Guerendo for backup touches behind Christian McCaffrey, Grant Gordon of NFL.com reports.
Black was viewed by many as a reach in the third round, though 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan defended the pick by saying the team viewed Black as the second-best running back in the 2026 Draft class behind third overall pick Jeremiyah Love. San Francisco hasn't had much success drafting running backs in recent years and has yet to get much production out of James (a 2025 fifth-round pick) or Guerendo (a 2024 fourth-round pick). McCaffrey remains the team's undisputed lead back while healthy.
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49ers' Kaelon Black: Picked by 49ers
Rotowire
The 49ers selected Black in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 90th overall.
This was highly unexpected. There really is a lot to like about Black following his standout showing at Indiana, but he caught only 55 receptions in six collegiate seasons and turns 25 in October. Black does look good as a pure runner, boasting a hot motor and decent speed (4.46-second pro day 40) at 5-foot-9, 211 pounds, but second-year man Jordan James remains a strong candidate to serve as the RB2 behind Christian McCaffrey for the foreseeable future.
