Alabama running back would be an ideal successor to aging running back.
Despite the constant success Frank Gore has had as the premiere running back for the San Francisco 49ers, the team must look to the future at the position. Gore has two years left on his current deal, at which point he will be 31-years old, considered ancient for a running back.
It is time that the team looks to find his successor as the hard nosed power back that will look to pound the ball between tackles and take a large load of the 49ers overall offence. That man may just be Eddie Lacy.
The Alabama back fits that mold perfectly. While he does not posses huge breakaway speed, Lacy is a strong rusher, who is not afraid to put his head down, and meet linebackers at the point of contact.
The 22-year old will become a useful rotational player for the 49ers in his rookie year, before seeing more carries as Gore’s role diminishes.
With the role of the running back is changing due to the importance of the passing game, the 49ers should be able to grab Lacy at the start of the second round without much problem.
The skills that he would bring to the team would make this a steal and the coaching staff could make him a very good replacement to a 49ers legend in Gore.
Along with current backup LaMichael James, who is seen as their third down back, the running back group could be well set once Gore retires, and so long as the offence sticks to its current philosophy of a power run game, both players could look to see success in the future.
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