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49ers’ 2018 offseason positional preview: Running back

By Jeremy Wohlfart

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 29: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after scoring a 21 yard touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the third quarter during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 29, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 29: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after scoring a 21 yard touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the third quarter during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 29, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/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)
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) /

49ers Running Back to Watch in 2018: Jerick McKinnon

Put simply: The 49ers paid McKinnon to start, and be a great starter at that.

Also put simply: McKinnon was not a starter with Minnesota.

It’s not a criticism of McKinnon as much as it’s a statement of fact. The 49ers paid McKinnon to be a primary weapon for Garoppolo, so all eyes will be on him to produce.

The tools are all there for McKinnon too. Garoppolo is obviously the new face of the 49ers, and the defensive focus is obviously going to be on him and not McKinnon.

Just as importantly, Shanahan and Garoppolo love the ball being thrown to their backs and tight ends. This suits McKinnon, a talented receiver out of the backfield, perfectly.

While some question McKinnon and his ability to be a starter, nobody can question his ability to cut and his vision are both perfect for the 49ers offense.

He’s been paid, he has the talent, he has the skills and he has talented players around him to take the attention off him. McKinnon has everything going for him, and that makes him one to watch.