The San Francisco 49ers are currently carrying six running backs into training camp and not all of them can make the final roster before the 2014 season begins. After drafting Carlos Hyde and getting Marcus Lattimore back and healthy, the team will likely have to make some moves either by trade or release with one or two players. So who stays and who goes in the ground game during training camp?
One thing is very clear, Frank Gore is one of the biggest role players for the 49ers. Despite the large amount of young talent on the roster, Gore is the man in charge and the starting job is really his to lose no matter what. However, there is certainly a chance that he could lose it. According to NFL.com's Albert Breer, Hyde has done more than impress the coaching staff after spring workouts. Breer listed the former Ohio State standout as a rookie to watch and someone who will play a large role in the offense.
Hyde is the perfect complement to Gore. He is the type of running back that San Francisco loves. He can run through the tackles, but he also has the second-gear speed that Gore has been lacking with age. Hyde could step in as a starter at some point and will take plenty of the workload off Gore all through next season. But what does that mean for the remaining running backs.
The 49ers have had every opportunity to trade LaMichael James this offseason, but have been reluctant to let go of the third-year pro. James has all but come out and said, "I want a trade." He simply noted that he would prefer to be part of an offense that allowed him to play a lot more than San Francisco is. He skipped offseason workouts and some sources believe he was hoping to get traded because of it. However, James is healthy and essentially unused which makes him essential to the depth chart.
The odd man out could be Lattimore depending on what the running back looks like in training camp. San Francisco has been very patient with Lattimore. The running back ended his impressive college career with another severe leg injury, but the 49ers drafted him because of his potential to be great. Lattimore was a participant during rookie minicamp in the offseason, but there are still a lot of question marks regarding his overall health. If the running back fails to show he can start competing during training camp, the 49ers might not be able to keep him on.