49ers: Biggest winners and losers from OTAs so far

San Francisco 49ers: Biggest winners and losers from OTAs so far

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers is wearing jersey #44 while participating in drill during practice on September 11, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. Hayne was wearing the #44 jersey for the 49ers scout team preparing for Monday nights game against the Minnesota Vikings. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 11: Jerick McKinnon #21 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball in the first quarter of the game against the New Orleans Saints on September 11, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

Winner: Running Back Jerick McKinnon

The 49ers’ best receiving option on day two of OTAs was, by far, Jerick McKinnon.

Yes, a running back.

This isn’t much of a surprise. Kyle Shanahan wants to get his offense clicking by incorporating his tailbacks into the passing game much more in 2018. It’s one of the reasons Matt Breida’s practice drop yesterday was concerning.

McKinnon, however, had no such issues.

From Matt Barrows:

"Jerick McKinnon caught several passes out of the backfield from Jimmy Garoppolo, one in which he beat the middle linebacker and had plenty of open field in front of him. That was a major departure from this time last year when Carlos Hyde, who had scant background as pass catcher, struggled in that role. The versatile McKinnon, by contrast, looked very comfortable."

This is exactly the kind of weapon Shanahan and Co. wanted when they inked McKinnon to a four-year, $30 million deal this offseason.

Next: Early 49ers 53-man roster predictions for 2018

If McKinnon continues to operate in such a fashion, the Niners offense should take on an entirely new look in 2018.