Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 2018 midterm report-card grades by position

By Peter Panacy

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 28: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 28: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 10
Next
KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 23: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers runs around the outside edge during the third quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium on September 23rd, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 23: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers runs around the outside edge during the third quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium on September 23rd, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

. RUNNING BACK. A-. .

It’s pretty commendable what the 49ers have been able to do on the ground in the wake of Jerick McKinnon’s injury.

This thrust second-year pro Matt Breida into a starting role, and he’s handled it about as well as anyone could have wished despite his own numerous injury setbacks. Despite a relatively lackluster performance in Week 8 against the Cardinals, Breida’s average of 5.8 yards per carry still ranks third among all NFL tailbacks.

That’s pretty impressive. San Francisco found an undrafted gem in 2017.

What’s equally impressive is how Kyle Shanahan and Co. have managed to get some modest support production out of perennial special teams ace Raheem Mostert, who managed some nice gains in Weeks 6 and 7. It was almost out of necessity, but at least Mostert has emerged as yet another speedy option to spell Breida when needed, all but securing No. 2 duties away from the veteran, Alfred Morris.

Fullback Kyle Juszczyk has remained one of the more useful tools in Shanahan’s offense. It’s a bit of a question mark why he hasn’t been used more in the receiving game — Juszczyk has just 19 receptions but for 245 yards on the year.