John Lynch and John Elway have made their first trade together.
The 49ers dealt a fourth round pick in 2018 to the Broncos for running back Kapri Bibbs and a fifth round pick. It’s the fourth trade San Francisco has made so far in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Denver drafted the 5-foot-11, 203 pounder out of Colorado State. Bibbs didn’t play in 2014 or 2015 but carried the ball 29 times for 129 yards in spot duties last season.
Bibbs enters a crowded backfield featuring Carlos Hyde, Tim Hightower, DuJuan Harris and Kyle Juszczyk — who the team is listing at running back.
It’s a repetitive point, but one of Shanahan’s talents is identifying under the radar running backs. Steve Slaton, Alfred Morris and Isaiah Crowell are examples all throughout his career, and his father Mike had the same reputation in Denver for years. You never know what diamond in the rough is coming next. Bibbs will have to excel at special teams to make the roster.
Lynch made an interesting point last night: The 49ers aren’t targeting specific positions, but they have players they really like. It appears Bibbs was one of those. Also remember VP of player personnel, Adam Peters, spent the last decade in Denver and obviously has some scouting intel on Bibbs. He’ll be given a chance to compete.
The 49ers are scheduled to make six picks on Day 3 of the draft.