Brace yourselves 49ers fans, for what I am about to tell you may cause you may to go into shock. Frank Gore isn’t going to be around in San Francisco forever. Yes, i know, it was tough for me when i came to this realization as well. Now that doesn’t mean that he isn’t right now but lets look at this through the “what if” point of view.
Kendall Hunter is a good football player. He is the future of the 49ers backfield and is showing signs that he may be ready to take over sooner rather than later. Gore isn’t quite ready to step down but lets face it, he is getting older. I would still draft Frank as my number 2 RB but I would do so with the intentions to reach for Hunter by two rounds maybe even three.
Any back who gets opportunity in the 49ers offense is going to succeed. In each of the 4 preseason games the 49ers have averaged over 4 yards per carry on the ground. The 49ers offensive line is really coming together. If Gore was to go down Kendall would get the bulk of the carries and has the talent and potential to be a top 10 RB. Yea I said it!
I’m not really in to drafting running backs and handcuffing them to their backups but in this case the upside of Hunter is too good to pass up. I am drafting Hunter in leagues where I don’t even get Gore.
Frank Gore, Mr. Old Reliable, isn’t ready to pass the torch just yet but the 49ers will look to preserve his career and with that comes carries for Hunter. Hunter is very explosive and can do more with less than the average back. Of the back-up running backs that are getting drafted late Kendall is one of my favorite.
So get out your cheat sheets and highlight Kendall Hunter. Given the opportunity he could be the difference between a championship and say a first round exit in your fantasy football league this year.
