What 49ers' pick of Indiana RB Kaelon Black means for Christian McCaffrey

The San Francisco 49ers didn't make their initial first-round pick, trading down out of Round 1 with the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins, then taking wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling with the No. 33 pick.

Then, down the board in the third round, Kyle Shanahan made a pick he's well known to make, taking a running back. This time, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the 49ers have drafted Indiana running back Kaelon Black at No. 90 overall.

After taking a running back, how does Black impact the 49ers' plans at running back with Christian McCaffrey? There's not much change expected for CMC, but the depth chart is shaking up a bit.

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How Kaelon Black impacts Christian McCaffrey

Black, the 24-year-old Indiana running back, is 5-foot-10, 211 pounds. Last year for the National Champions, he ran for 1,034 yards and 10 touchdowns while catching five passes for 42 yards.

McCaffrey isn't going anywhere for the 49ers, barring an injury, so Black won't factor into the offense much other than as a running back who will get a few touches in a blowout.

Behind CMC, the 49ers running back depth chart will feature Jordan James, Isaac Guerendo, and Patrick Taylor Jr.

More: 49ers plan to limit Christian McCaffrey’s touches in 2026

San Francisco's running back depth chart might be shaken up after this pick from Black, as he could take over the backup RB spot over Guerendo and/or James.

Shanahan made another running back pick during the NFL Draft, and just like in years past, this pick won't have an impact on McCaffrey.

The same cannot be said about the depth chart, but this selection shouldn't have much actual impact on the 49ers' starting offense in 2026.

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