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: 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.
