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49ers 2018 roster: Bubble-watch projections after preseason Week 3

By Jeremy Wohlfart

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 29: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers passes in the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 29, 2017 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 29: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers passes in the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 29, 2017 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 18: Joe Williams #32 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Dylan Cole #51 of the Houston Texans and Brandon Dunn #92 during a preseason game at NRG Stadium on August 18, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 18: Joe Williams #32 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Dylan Cole #51 of the Houston Texans and Brandon Dunn #92 during a preseason game at NRG Stadium on August 18, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Running back/Fullback:

Raheem Mostert: Strong chance

Alfred Morris: Strong chance

Jeremy McNichols: Weak chance

Joe Williams: Weak chance

Jeff Wilson: Long shot

Malcolm Johnson (FB): Long shot

The big news here is Joe Williams. The hype train behind the talented rookie has all but dissipated, and a rib fracture has put his preseason to a premature end yet again. Williams simply didn’t impress in the preseason (albeit with admittedly poor blocking by the offensive line).

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The 49ers have hinted they could put four running backs on the roster, and Raheem Mostert has to be one of them. His ability on special teams puts him above the other backs, and his familiarity with the scheme after last season helps if anyone above him goes down and he plays a bigger part on offense.

Alfred Morris performed well as a spot starter for the Dallas Cowboys last season, and has familiarity with head coach Kyle Shanahan and his scheme. He seems the ideal veteran presence for the running back corps, and we got a better idea of how well he played when the 49ers play the Colts.

Jeremy McNichols has shown some ability to be considered a realistic chance to make the roster, but it’s hard to see him competing with the experienced Morris.

Jeff Wilson and Malcolm Johnson don’t seem poised to break the logjam ahead of them, but it was a tough assignment to begin with.

Post-game analysis: 

It’s hard to be excited over one game, but you can almost lock Morris in, who had by far the best performance of any 49er running back this preseason with 84 yards off 17 attempts. If Jerick McKinnon is injured or otherwise disappoints, Morris looks like he could easily be a starter once again.

I won’t upgrade him to a certainty (and thus off this listing) just in case the 49ers decide to keep three running backs, as Mostert could still beat him due to his special teams experience, but certainly he’s right on the cusp of a certainty.