A Hall of Famer redefined the running back position. Discover how this 49ers second-round gem revolutionized offense and set a new standard.
The San Francisco 49ers are in the throws of the 2026 NFL draft this weekend. With that, some are reminiscing on what picks the team has got right in the past.
Given the Niners' five Super Bowl victories and several appearances, there have been plenty of good draft picks by the team over the past 70 seasons. One analyst writes that a second-round pick stands out above some others.
Henry Cheal of YardBarker writes that San Francisco running back Roger Craig is one of the team's best second draft picks ever. Cheal explained what made Craig such a huge part of the team's success in the 1990s.
"There’s no better mention than Roger Craig, who finally received the honor he completely deserved - a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, enshrined in Canton, Ohio.
Craig was a revolutionary player for the 49ers, redefining the running back position with his versatility. Drafted in the second round in 1983, he became the first player in NFL history to record 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season (1985). Something Christian McCaffrey almost did this season for the second time in his career.
His ability to run between the tackles, catch passes out of the backfield, and pass protect made him the perfect fit in Bill Walsh’s West Coast offense.
Craig played a key role in three Super Bowl championships and was a four-time Pro Bowler. His high-knee running style became iconic, while his all-around production set the standard for modern dual-threat backs. More than just stats, Craig’s impact helped shape the evolution of offensive football in the NFL."
Roger Craig during a press conference introducing the NFL Hall of Fame Class of 2026 at Palace of Fine Arts. Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesCraig, of course, was recently announced as a member of the 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Class for his contributions to the Niners during his time in the league. Cheal notes that Craig revolutionized the running back position. Given how many dual threat running backs, those who are adept at catching the football as well as carrying it, it's hard to say that Cheal is wrong.
From Craig came Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook and from there the pass catching running back took off in the NFL. Now, Christian McCaffrey is carrying on that legacy of pass catching as the running back for the 49ers. McCaffrey was one of the league's best in receiving yards at running back in 2026.
The Niners will hope to find another draft gem from their picks this weekend.