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San Francisco 49ers: Speculating the biggest position battles in 2018 training camp

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 30: Ronald Johnson #88 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass over Tramaine Brock #26 during practice at the San Francisco 49ers training facility on July 30, 2011 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 30: Ronald Johnson #88 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass over Tramaine Brock #26 during practice at the San Francisco 49ers training facility on July 30, 2011 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 29: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers makes the catch and carries the ball in the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 29, 2017 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 29: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers makes the catch and carries the ball in the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 29, 2017 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Backup Running Back

San Francisco made a big move inking former Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon to a four-year, $30 million deal.

McKinnon replaces former Niners running back Carlos Hyde, who left to the Cleveland Browns via free agency. And Kyle Shanahan indicated he has all intentions of making McKinnon the team’s starting tailback this season.

In a Shanahan offense, though, the “starting” term is in name only. Shanahan prefers a dual-back system — similar to the one in which he had great success in Atlanta with runners Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman.

Therefore, the No. 2 running back spot is going to be one of interest.

Second-year pro Matt Breida figures to have an edge in this camp competition. 2017 fourth-round draftee Joe Williams, who was redshirted his rookie campaign with an ankle injury, is also in the mix.

But the 2018 NFL Draft is pretty deep with talented runners. It wouldn’t be a shock to see the 49ers tab a mid- to late-round pick here, only adding to the competition and putting pressure on both Breida and Williams.