Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 5 breakout candidates for 2018

By Aaron Tan

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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49ers running back Jerick McKinnon
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 14: Jerick McKinnon #21 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball and stiff arms defender P.J. Williams #26 of the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game on January 14, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Running Back Jerick McKinnon

Speaking of fantasy football, Jerick McKinnon may seem like an odd pick to break out. The fantasy community is all over him, with his ADP (Average Draft Position) being around the beginning of the second round.

Hasn’t McKinnon already broke out?

Nope. Not to discredit him, but he has spent his career so far in Minnesota playing in committees with the Vikings, sharing valuable playing time with other running backs.

However, that is going to change this season. Kyle Shanahan is planning to employ McKinnon as the de-facto No. 1 running back for his high-powered offense.

McKinnon is a true three-down back and has an incredible supporting cast around him. Shanahan, arguably the league’s best offensive play caller, will get insane production out of McKinnon. Yeah, No. 2 back Matt Breida will eat up some touches, but expect McKinnon to be making plays on the field as much as possible, cementing his place as a top-10 running back in the league.