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San Francisco 49ers: 10 players who have a lot to prove in 2019

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 11: Jerick McKinnon #21 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a first down in the first quarter of the game against the New Orleans Saints on September 11, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 11: Jerick McKinnon #21 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a first down in the first quarter of the game against the New Orleans Saints on September 11, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

No. 7: Running Back Jerick McKinnon

Like Marquise Goodwin with the wide receivers, running back Jerick McKinnon also finds himself locked in a tight position battle with a number of other ball carriers, namely Matt Breida and Tevin Coleman.

Also like Goodwin, McKinnon is going to need to rebound after a 2018 injury, albeit a season-ending ACL tear before Week 1 even began.

Remember, the 49ers inked McKinnon to a lucrative four-year, $30 million contract last year, making him a high-paid runner, who has never assumed a true starting role on the offensive side of the ball at the pro level. McKinnon’s contract numbers are such that his roster spot in 2019 is essentially safe, yet the Niners could feasibly move on the following year without too massive a fiscal setback.

Ideally, McKinnon showcases why San Francisco made him such a high-priority free-agent target back in 2018, demonstrating both the rushing and pass-catching attributes he displayed with the Minnesota Vikings, previously.

Still, there is going to be some stiff competition for carries over the course of 2019. And while this should serve to keep Kyle Shanahan’s tailbacks both fresh and healthy, it also means fewer chances for McKinnon to live up to that lofty contract.