Maiocco: “I don’t think the depth at RB is great”

On Tuesday morning, the San Francisco 49ers put on pads for the first time this offseason as they hold their third practice of training camp. Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area went on 95.7 The Game to talk about the team.

Maiocco pointed out that putting on pads is huge because now the new coaching staff can finally look at guys like DT/LB Tank Carradine, OG Joshua Garnett, OT Anthony Davis, the defensive line and the rest of the offensive line.

On Monday, DE Arik Armstead seemed pretty excited to throw on pads and go against OT Joe Staley in practice. "He forces you to have good footwork and good anticipation," said Armstead via the Sacramento Bee.

Maiocco feels that RB Carlos Hyde has to be the workhorse for the 49ers this season. "I just don't think that the depth at the running back position is great," said Maiocco. "They took Kelvin Taylor late in this draft. Same with Mike Davis last year late in the draft. I think that it is so clear that with the running game, it's basically Carlos Hyde or bust.

"Shaun Draughn ... I think he's a really good running back. Well, I think he's a really good football player. Let's put it that way. I think he's a really good football player. I think he runs the ball adequately well. He catches the ball very well and he is a very good special teams player. But he's a journeyman. There's a reason that he hasn't been able to stick. I think it is mostly because of his visibility with the ball in his hands. I mean, he's not an explosive runner.

"And when you look at Carlos Hyde, he is so clearly the best running back that they have, the guy best suited to run this offense."

Maiocco ended by saying, "If Carlos Hyde doesn't rush for 1,200 yards, I think the 49ers offense will struggle."

He went on to discuss the 49ers defensive line and NT Ian Williams being out for the season.

You can listen to the entire segment here on 95.7 The Game.