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San Francisco 49ers: Grading each position heading into 2018 training camp

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Solomon Thomas #94 and Eli Harold #57 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after the Seattle Seahawks missed a field goal attempt at Levi's Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Solomon Thomas #94 and Eli Harold #57 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after the Seattle Seahawks missed a field goal attempt at Levi's Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/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) /

A. . . . RUNNING BACK

Key Additions: Jerick McKinnon

Key Departures: Carlos Hyde

Arguably the best move the 49ers made this offseason was bringing aboard free-agent running back Jerick McKinnon.

Yes, a runner who had never accumulated more than 570 rush yards in a single season.

The reasons are pretty straight forward. McKinnon, who wasn’t exactly featured in the Minnesota Vikings offense during his tenure there, is a seamless fit for what Kyle Shanahan likes to do.

We’ve already broken down the film of the fit here, but Shanahan could easily turn McKinnon into the league’s next version of Devonta Freeman, the Atlanta Falcons’ standout running back during Shanahan’s time as offensive coordinator there.

Related Story: 49ers film room: What Jerick McKinnon brings to Kyle Shanahan's offense

McKinnon’s running abilities, paired with his pass-catching skills, epitomize the dual-threat back. And he’s no liability in pass protection either — a key staple in keeping Jimmy Garoppolo upright this season.

Plus, as Shanahan likes to do, we’ll frequently see No. 2 running back Matt Breida spell carries. Breida, who accumulated 645 multipurpose yards from scrimmage last year behind Carlos Hyde, could easily see an increased workload in 2018.

Not a bad one-two punch at all. But McKinnon’s potential breakout year is reason enough to push this grade up to an A.