The 49ers are working their way through OTAs, and as we continue prepping for the upcoming season, it seemed a good time for another swing through the positions. This time around, we are looking at the salary cap figures for the players competing in each position group. The 49ers have a ton of cap space, so it should not play a huge role in deciding roster spots, but it is always interesting to consider.
We are started off with quarterbacks, and now move on to running backs. We've got a list of the pertinent numbers for each player, and anything key points associated with the given contract. It is notable that the 49ers running back depth chart is composed entirely of players on rookie contracts or one-year deals. The 49ers have the eighth fewest cap dollars on the position, and the tenth lowest percentage of cap space.
Carlos Hyde
| Year | Cap # | Base | SB | WO bonus |
| 2016 | $1,004,094 | $654,698 | $249,396 | $100,000 |
| 2017 | $1,771,443 | $822,047 | $249,396 | $100,000 |
Carlos Hyde is coming off an injury that cost him most of his 2015 season, and will look to bounce back. He is the likely starter, as coach Chip Kelly has had made some great comments about his ability, and talent. There is no doubt in my mind that if Hyde has a season like he was on pace for in 2015 before his injury. As a 2014 draft pick, Hyde is eligible for a contract extension once the 2016 regular season ends. He was a second round pick, so he does not have a fifth-year option. Additionally, the proven performance escalator does not apply to him. It only applies to third through seventh round picks. The PPE is explained more below
Shaun Draughn
| Year | Cap # | Base | SB | Wk1 RB | WO bonus |
| 2016 | $860,000 | $760,000 | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
Draughn’s only guaranteed money is a $25,000 signing bonus. However, he will earn his $25,000 workout bonus, and can earn a $50,000 roster bonus by making the opening day 53-man roster. Also, if Draughn does make the opening day roster, his entire salary would be guaranteed, as he is a vested veteran, with at least four years of NFL experience.
DuJuan Harris
| Year | Cap # | Base |
| 2016 | $760,000 | $760,000 |
Unlike Draughn, Harris has no guaranteed money. However, his base salary too would become guaranteed if he makes the opening day 53-man roster, as he is also a vested veteran.
Mike Davis
| Year | Cap # | Base | SB |
| 2016 | $642,195 | $525,000 | $117,195 |
| 2017 | $732,195 | $615,000 | $117,195 |
| 2018 | $822,195 | $705,000 | $117,195 |
Davis could be the odd man out of the backfield, even with the departure of Jarryd Hayne, considering the 49ers addition of sixth round pick Kelvin Taylor. The productive Florida back could very well supplant Davis as a potential change of pace back behind Hyde.
Davis is eligible for the PPE, which is known as the proven player escalator. Kelvin Taylor is also eligible for that, so I have explained that below.
Kelvin Taylor
| Year | Cap # | Base | SB |
| 2016 | $475,089 | $450,000 | $25,089 |
| 2017 | $565,089 | $540,000 | $25,089 |
| 2018 | $655,089 | $630,000 | $25,089 |
| 2019 | $745,089 | $720,000 | $25,089 |
Taylor could be the team's number two back for the future, and the change of pace back that the 49ers need behind Hyde. Taylor is eligible for the PPE, also known as the Proven Performance Escalator. It is based on snaps accumulated over the first three years of a player's career, so, depending on how much time he and/or Mike Davis get, they could see a raise in their fourth year base salary. Here is how the PPE works, according to the CBA:
The CBA states that an eligible player will qualify for the PPE in his fourth League year if: (1) he participated in a minimum of 35% of his Club's offensive or defensive plays in any two of his previous three regular seasons; or(2) he participated in a "cumulative average" of at least 35% of his Club's offensive or defensive plays over his previous three regular seasons. "Cumulative average" means the sum of the total number of offensive or defensive plays in which the player participated over the applicable seasons, divided by the sum of the Club's offensive or defensive plays during the same seasons. (By way of example, if a player participates in 600 of the Club's 1,000 offensive plays in his first season, 290 of the Club's 1,000 plays in his second season, and 310 of the Club's 1,000 plays in his third season for a total of 1,200 plays out of a possible 3,000, the cumulative average would equal 40%).As far as the salary is concerned, the PPE shall equal the difference between (i) the amount of the Restricted Free Agent Qualifying Offer for a Right of First Refusal Only as set forth in, or as calculated in accordance with, Article 9 for the League Year in such player's fourth season and (ii) the player's year-four Rookie Salary (excluding signing bonus and amounts treated as signing bonus). The resulting amount shall be added to the stated amount of the player's year-four Paragraph 5 Salary.Lastly If you have any questions, please leave them below, and I will do my best to get to them all.
As always you can follow me on Twitter, @Jay_AB81, or check our salary cap section here, on Niners Nation, which is now officially the exclusive home for my salary cap information.