San Francisco 49ers: 5 best players in 2018 through Week 7
By Peter Panacy
No. 5: Running Back Matt Breida
It was really hard not to include veteran cornerback Richard Sherman on this list. After all, no other qualifying corner has allowed a lower passer rating than Sherman through seven weeks (39.6), according to Pro Football Focus.
San Francisco 49ers
But Sherman has been hobbled by a calf injury for much of the season, limiting him to just five games. Plus, the Niners defense is pretty bad, particularly in the secondary.
As a result, the No. 5 player on this list is part of arguably San Francisco’s best asset in 2018 — running back Matt Breida and the ground attack.
Breida has also been hobbled by injuries this year but has appeared in all seven contest. At one point, he was the league-leading rusher, showing the ability to break off big gains at any moment behind a vastly improved 49ers offensive line.
And Breida is still leading the league in average rush yards per carry (6.5).
Breida has admirably taken over the No. 1 duties after San Francisco lost presumed starter Jerick McKinnon to a season-ending ACL tear before the regular season even began. And while an ankle injury could hold him out of the team’s Week 8 matchup on the road against the Arizona Cardinals, Breida has easily been one of the better storylines for the team in 2018.
He should remain a vital part of the team’s plans next season and likely beyond.