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San Francisco 49ers: Strengths, weaknesses and X-factors for each position

By Peter Panacy

KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 23: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a quick pass to teammate Matt Breida #22 during the second quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 23: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a quick pass to teammate Matt Breida #22 during the second quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 21: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 21: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Running Back

The 49ers thought they had running back depth figured out in 2018, only to lose Jerick McKinnon to a season-ending ACL tear before Week 1 even began.

True, this led to his backup, Matt Breida, emerging as something of a household name, and Breida finished with an impressive 5.3 yards per carry — fourth best among qualifiers.

But Breida was also banged up for much of the year, forcing Kyle Shanahan to rely often on other less-heralded and reliable backups. But when faced with the opportunity to bring aboard one of his favorites from the Atlanta Falcons, Tevin Coleman, Shanahan didn’t hesitate.

Strengths

Both Coleman and McKinnon serve as multifaceted, dual-threat tailbacks, each capable of strong rushes and catching passes out of the backfield. Breida, meanwhile, might be San Francisco’s best pure running back with plenty of speed to burn.

This trio, if it stays healthy, allows Shanahan to deploy his runners in a multitude of different packages and combinations, taking advantage of each player’s abilities and strengths.

Simply put, the 49ers run game should be awfully exciting in 2019.

Weaknesses

While depth doesn’t appear to be a factor on the surface, both McKinnon and Breida are coming off injuries. McKinnon hasn’t been cleared to practice this offseason yet, and Breida is dealing with a torn pectoral.

Remember, San Francisco dealt with depth issues a year ago. And while a solid rotation in the backfield should guard against such worries, they’re still there.

And as is the case with wide receivers, can the Niners rushers be more effective in the red zone? They haven’t proven to be so yet.

X-Factors

Shanahan has made it a point each of the 49ers tailbacks will essentially determine their own roles in 2019. Coleman, given his prior experience and success in Shanahan’s offense, seems to be the likely favorite to emerge as the No. 1 option. But Shanahan won’t overload his workload, giving McKinnon and Breida their fair share of touches, too.

As long as injuries aren’t a major factor, the biggest X-factor will be seeing just how effective this three-headed monster will be over the course of the season.

That’s a good problem to have.