Frank Gore has another challenger for his spot in the San Francisco 49ers backfield.
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General manager Trent Baalke grabbed one pick out of his overflowing bushel of selections to trade up in the second round with the Miami Dolphins and take Ohio State running back Carlos Hyde.
The Dolphins received a second (No. 63) and fifth round pick (No. 171) in the exchange.
The 6 feet, 230-pound Hyde is a bulldozer with great size, explosive power and strength between the tackles. He is a downhill runner in the 49ers' mold who can catch passes out of the backfield. He ended last year with 100-plus yards in nine consecutive games.
Hyde is the just the latest runner who has entered the ring to try to take Gore's job. Others have failed mightily as the veteran runner continues to chug along as one of the most productive power backs in the NFL.
With the Hyde selection, the 49ers are looking towards a future without Gore, who is a free agent next season.
LaMichael James could be traded -- he didn't attend voluntary workouts and reportedly believes he needs a fresh start to find playing time. Kendall Hunter has long been Gore's spot-sub. Marcus Lattimore, a 2013 fourth-round pick, is coming off a redshirt season following ACL surgery and is expected to battle for time.
Adding Hyde to the group fortifies the 49ers ground game for the future.
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