Niner Noise
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Predicting 49ers’ running back depth chart with Tevin Coleman

By Matt Stephenson

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 30: Running back Tevin Coleman #26 of the Atlanta Falcons high steps into the end zone to score in the third quarter of the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 30: Running back Tevin Coleman #26 of the Atlanta Falcons high steps into the end zone to score in the third quarter of the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/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. 3: Jerick McKinnon

I would have never pictured Jerick McKinnon sitting down at No. 3, but here he is.

With Shanahan unlikely to push him to hard coming back from his ACL tear, he will likely have a lighter workload earlier in the season. However, this will largely depend on his health during the preseason and how far he has progressed in his rehab.

McKinnon tore his ACL partway through preseason training, giving fans and coaching staff a mere glimpse of him on the field. If anything positive was to come of this, it gave him the time to study and learn Shanahan’s playbook along with the chance for Breida to develop.

With the vast improvement in Breida’s pass-catching abilities along with the skill set of Coleman, the reliance on McKinnon is somewhat reduced. Shanahan originally signed him to bring in that pass-catching talent which he so loves. However, he now has three capable backs, two of which saw extensive game time last season.

McKinnon last played in 2017 with the Minnesota Vikings. He would have his most productive year rushing for 570 yards from 150 carries and three touchdowns. However, he managed just 3.8 yards per carry, a full 1.5 yards less than Breida did in 2018..