Power ranking the 49ers’ running backs in 2019 before training camp
By Peter Panacy
3. team. 42. . NFL Experience: 5 Years. . Jerick McKinnon
It’s anyone’s guess how Jerick McKinnon would have fared in a featured role after the 49ers signed him to a lucrative free-agent deal early in 2018.
McKinnon, who was used primarily as a complementary back during his previous four years with the Minnesota Vikings, might return to that same role in 2019.
Especially with the addition of Tevin Coleman.
Like Coleman, though, McKinnon is a versatile dual-threat back, capable of both quality outside rushes and serving as a legitimate pass-catching option out of the backfield. What might give him a slight edge over Coleman is McKinnon’s pass-blocking abilities, which help ensure him a role in 2019.
McKinnon has yet to be cleared for activities this offseason, as he is still recovering from his torn ACL and subsequent surgery.
Prediction for 2019
The 49ers aren’t likely to rush McKinnon back into the fray, meaning he’ll probably see limited use over the first few weeks of the regular season.
When he does return, however, expect Kyle Shanahan to get awfully creative with how he pairs McKinnon with both Coleman and Breida. McKinnon doesn’t have a lot of mileage on his 27-year-old body — thank you, Vikings, for not overusing him — so his service should be of notable use as the Niners hit the dog days of the regular season in November.