Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the top 25 players for 2018

By Chris Wilson

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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San Francisco 49ers Matt Brieda
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) /

23. RB Matt Breida

In 2017, undrafted free agent Matt Breida had an efficient rookie season playing behind the Niners’ lead running back, Carlos Hyde. Barring a breakout preseason from one of the team’s other backs, Breida will be the San Francisco 49ers’ second option at running back again in 2018.

Breida’s importance to a successful 49ers team is twofold:

First, as Breida developed as a first-year back last season, Shanahan eventually allowed him to shoulder more of the Niners’ backfield load. If Breida continues to progress in his sophomore season, he could see a significant increase in action, allowing Shanahan to ease fellow runner Jerick McKinnon into his new feature-back role.

Second, McKinnon is an undersized running back who will likely see more touches in 2018 than he did in any of his previous seasons in Minnesota. An injury to McKinnon would be a devastating blow to the team, so Breida needs to be prepared to become the focal point of the 49ers’ offense at a moment’s notice.