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San Francisco 49ers: Full 2018 depth-chart predictions ahead of Week 1

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 09: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter of their NFL preseason football game at Levi's Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 09: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter of their NFL preseason football game at Levi's Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – AUGUST 25: Alfred Morris #36 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts in the second quarter of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – AUGUST 25: Alfred Morris #36 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts in the second quarter of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Running Back

Halfback: Alfred Morris, Matt Breida, Raheem Mostert

Fullback: Kyle Juszczyk

News of the Jerick McKinnon injury is devastating, and his season-long absence will have major implications for Kyle Shanahan’s offense.

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So it’s a good thing the Niners brought aboard 29-year-old veteran Alfred Morris earlier this preseason, who rushed for well over 1,200 yards per season under Shanahan when both were with the Washington Redskins in 2012 and 2013.

Age is a concern. But Morris flashed what he can offer in San Francisco’s exhibition contest against the Colts in Week 3 of the preseason. With that in mind, it’s likely the 49ers hand Morris the starting duties to kick off the regular season.

Yet Shanahan enjoys a dual-back approach, which means second-year pro Matt Breida will see his fair share of touches too.

Breida, who suffered a shoulder injury earlier in camp, finished third on the Niners in all-purpose yards last year (645). And considering Morris isn’t the pass-catching back like McKinnon is, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Breida as a safety valve in the passing game.

San Francisco could make a corresponding move once McKinnon officially goes on IR (no move has been announced at the time this article was written, but it’s all but guaranteed).

That leaves the question whether or not Shanahan brings in another tailback to supplement depth or chooses to add someone at another position.