With the No. 90 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, the San Francisco 49ers have selected Kaelon Black.

The A to Z Sports 2026 NFL Draft projections and virtually every single big board, consensus rankings list, everything, had Kaelon Black going in the later portions of Day 3. Somehow, the 49ers thought they needed to target Black ahead of more than a dozen running backs who are likely better, and perhaps 100 other players at a variety of other positions that would have been a better pick.

The funny thing is that this pick was the most predictable outcome ever, given the 49ers’ habit of reaching horribly at the running back position.

What to know about new San Francisco 49ers RB Kaelon Black

Age: 24
A to Z Sports Draft Projection: Average Backup or Rotational Player
Career Projection:

“Kaelon Black runs like the turf disrespected his mother, a hard-nosed running back who excelled between the tackles for the Indiana Hoosiers. The scouting combine snubbed him, but he was truly one of the most underrated Hoosiers during their run to a National Championship. He can be a solid goal-line back at the pro level. His ability as a blocker out of the backfield could help him get on the field earlier than some may expect as well. Black is willing to do all the dirty work at the running back position, and he never complained; he just did his job. He has the chance to be one of the biggest steals at running back in this year’s class, in my opinion.”

Our Colts writer’s assessment of Black is solid. Black was a fun college player who ran angry and efficient, at times. He performed well this past season for the national championship-winning Indiana Hoosiers, racking up over 1000 yards on the ground with 10 touchdowns. That’s a strong final season.

However, he is not the best receiving option, he’s 24 years old already, and his elusiveness ratings were extremely low throughout his entire college career. He was decently elusive back in his final season with James Madison, but was less than impressive at forcing missed tackles for Indiana.

Grading the 49ers selection of Kaelon Black

The 49ers have essentially reached or made odd decisions with every single selection so far in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Black would have been a solid value pick had San Francisco waited, grabbing him in round 5 or later. Taking him in round three is just malpractice. And it would be less disappointing if this wasn’t a trend, but the 49ers just keep making the same mistake.

Jordan James, Isaac Guerendo, Tyrion Davis-Price, Trey Sermon, Elijah Mitchell, and Joe Williams. Now Kaelon Black. Mitchell was the only one not considered a massive reach (50+ picks ahead of consensus on everyone but Mitchell). The 49ers love taking running backs who amount to virtually nothing multiple rounds before they should even consider taking them. It’s almost like that’s built into John Lynch’s general manager contract.

Black is a fine player who will likely stick on an NFL roster for some time as a backup. Maybe a rotational player who sees snaps when better talents ahead of him are injured. Wish him the best, but this pick was indefensible for the 49ers.

Grade: D-

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