Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 5 bold predictions ahead of the 2018 season

By Bobby Horne

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 29: A view of San Francisco 49ers helmets on the bench during their NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on November 29, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 29: A view of San Francisco 49ers helmets on the bench during their NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on November 29, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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49ers Jerick McKinnon
SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 18: Running back Jerick McKinnon #21 of the Minnesota Vikings rushes for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter of a preseason game at CenturyLink Field on August 18, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Jerick McKinnon will lead the NFL in all-purpose yards

 

In what could end up as the best free-agent signing of the offseason, the 49ers signed former Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick Mckinnon. While not ever having a breakout season in the NFL, McKinnon was in a running back group that once had future Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson and had to share touches with multiple players.

McKinnon will be featured as the primary running back in Shanahan’s offense. Shanahan himself, when asked about Mckinnon’s role in the offense during his introductory press conference and responded without hesitation:

"He’s coming in right now and he’s our starting running back, we’re going to always compete and we’ll see how that plays out, but obviously, we brought him here to be our starting back."

Shanahan has a history of bringing out the most of his players. In 2015 and 2016, when he was the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons, starting running back Devonta Freeman had 1,634 and 1,541 all-purpose yards, respectively. Even with his one season in San Francisco, Shanahan was able to get 1,288 all-purpose yards from running back Carlos Hyde, who was widely considered as a “bad fit” for the offense.

McKinnon is quite the opposite. He is the perfect fit for this offense and it will show in 2018.

Prepare to see McKinnon’s name along with the likes of Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell.

McKinnon’s breakout season will happen in 2018, and he will lead the NFL in all-purpose yards.