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San Francisco 49ers: 5 players who increased stock value at mandatory minicamp

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 7: Reggie Bush #23 of the San Francisco 49ers runs drills during a practice session at Levi's Stadium on August 7, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 7: Reggie Bush #23 of the San Francisco 49ers runs drills during a practice session at Levi's Stadium on August 7, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 9: Running back Tevin Coleman #26 of the Atlanta Falcons catches a pass and runs for a touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 9, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 9: Running back Tevin Coleman #26 of the Atlanta Falcons catches a pass and runs for a touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 9, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Running Back Tevin Coleman

On one hand, the 49ers have arguably the deepest crop of starting-caliber running backs in the league this year. On the other, quite a few are out with injuries.

Jerick McKinnon is still rehabbing from his 2018 ACL tear, while Matt Breida is out until training camp with a pectoral injury. Special teams ace Raheem Mostert required another procedure on his forearm, which will keep him out for a while, too.

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The injuries have given another one of San Francisco’s free-agent pickups, Tevin Coleman, a chance to solidify a role as Kyle Shanahan’s prime tailback.

Coleman looks to be seizing it.

Like Trent Taylor, Coleman is quickly establishing a rapport with Jimmy Garoppolo. Coleman caught one touchdown pass during 7-on-7 drills and also found himself a regular target of the quarterback throughout practices.

Coleman’s pass-catching abilities only serve to increase his stock value, which has already seen a spike given the injuries elsewhere on the roster.

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It could be hard for the others to shake Coleman’s hold on the No. 1 spot, although Shanahan will certainly look to get his crop of running backs involved as much as possible this season.