With The First Pick
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49ers: 4 2021 NFL Draft replacement RBs for Raheem Mostert

By Cory Kinnan

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 2: Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers sits in the locker room before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 2, 2020 in Miami, Florida. The Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-20. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 2: Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers sits in the locker room before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 2, 2020 in Miami, Florida. The Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-20. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /
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2021 NFL Draft: Travis Etienne could replace Raheem Mostert for the 49ers. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
2021 NFL Draft: Travis Etienne could replace Raheem Mostert for the 49ers. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Travis Etienne, Clemson

After a season where the Clemson Tigers made it to back-to-back National Championships, it looked apparent running back Travis Etienne was long gone and on his way to the 2020 NFL Draft after being projected near the top of the class. However, Etienne decided to return to school, and as a result now lands as a top back in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Pro Football Network’s Bill Riccette agrees, as he has Etienne atop his 2021 running back rankings heading into the 2020 season:

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"“Perhaps the only element that Etienne could look to put on tape is further progression in the passing game. As it stands, he is already a fairly complete back, but more evidence of his skills catching the ball out of the backfield is never a bad thing for any back. If that ends up happening, Etienne will lock himself in as the first running back selected in the 2021 NFL Draft and may very well work his way into the top-15 or even top-10 overall (Riccette via PFN).”"

Given his prowess with his speed, Etienne would thrive in Shanahan’s wide zone scheme in San Francisco, making the ideal replacement for Raheem Mostert should he get traded. With legit sub-4.4 40 yard dash speed, Etienne is a lightning bolt on the football field, and it is hard to project a better landing spot for the Clemson running backs than with the 49ers.

To this point in his collegiate career, Etienne is coming off of back-to-back 1,600 rushing yard seasons, scoring a total of 43 rushing touchdowns in that span. Including in his highly productive true freshman season at Clemson as well, Etienne has a career total of over 4,000 career rushing yards and 54 touchdowns on the ground for the Tigers.