49ers: 5 players who will have bigger roles in 2018

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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

No. 5: RB Matt Breida

An undrafted free agent out of Georgia Southern University, Matt Breida has had a rookie season to remember, filling in Kyle Shanahan’s No. 2 running back position in his two-back system. Breida has explosive playmaking skills that can blow the field wide open, as he displayed against the Jacksonville Jaguars where he utilized his elusive speed to run for thirty yards into the end zone to seal the game for the 49ers.

Watch his quickness here:

Matt Breida: good at football pic.twitter.com/RYva61jh63
— James Brady (@jamesbradyisme) December 25, 2017

Breida’s ball-carrier vision is outstanding, as he often finds open holes to run through and makes smart decisions. Despite his relatively small 5-foot-11 and 190-pound frame, he possesses some power as well. Breida does not go down easily, and that is special for a change-of-pace back like himself.

With starting running back Carlos Hyde set to become a free agent this offseason, look for Breida to maintain his No. 2 role as a change-of-pace back. However, the rookie has displayed superior skills in his first season.

Shanahan knows what he is capable of, and with the right amount of hard work put in the offseason, Breida has earned more playing time and more chances to win games for the 49ers.