49ers’ 2019 ‘Who Is?’ series: Running back Jeff Wilson

San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson showed he could be a tough, short-yardage tailback in 2018, albeit with fumbling issues. But what happens to Wilson in 2019?

The San Francisco 49ers thought they had their crop of running backs in place just ahead of the 2018 regular season. Jerick McKinnon and Matt Breida were poised to be the primary two options here, while the veteran, Alfred Morris, was going to handle short-yardage duties.

Then-rookie tailback Jeff Wilson was merely an afterthought — a likely practice squad addition after spending a notable, yet under-the-radar collegiate campaign at North Texas.

But McKinnon was lost to an ACL injury before the regular season even began. And while Morris flashed some savvy abilities during the preseason, those efforts didn’t exactly carry over into the regular season either.

Enter Wilson, who was finally promoted to the active roster in late November.

Thanks to the shortages at the position, including Breida often banged up, Wilson even managed to start two games, logging a total of 66 rushes for 266 yards to go along with 12 receptions over six total games played.

Heading into 2019, though, the context has changed quite a lot. McKinnon is poised to return fully healthy, and the Niners also added veteran tailback Tevin Coleman in free agency.

Just how much does this affect Wilson’s future entering this season?

Why Jeff Wilson Improves in 2019

Wilson’s 4.0 yards-per-carry average last year doesn’t exactly jump off the stat sheet. But when one figures how good he looked on short, tough carries, it’s possible he’s able to carve out a niche as a short-yardage back.

The 49ers needed Wilson to handle some of those crucial short-area gains last year. And considering how much attrition the Niners dealt with at running back, seeing Wilson’s work on the field certainly caught the attention of the coaching staff.

And considering he had over 1,200 yards on 188 carries his senior season in college, it isn’t as if Wilson lacks the wherewithal to handle a full load.

Why Jeff Wilson Regresses

While Wilson’s knack for handling tough situations in the middle of a crowded interior rush lane was commendable, he did have a notable problem with ball security.

Wilson fumbled three times last season. And while one of those on the road against the Seattle Seahawks was questionable, at best, the three fumbles on 66 rush attempts is by no means a good ratio to have. Even for a rookie tailback learning the nuances of life at the NFL level.

If Wilson continues to struggle with securing the football, when paired with the Niners’ ball-security issues from a year ago, there’s little chance he’ll earn the graces of head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Chances of Making the 49ers’ 53-Man Roster in 2019

If San Francisco didn’t add Coleman this offseason, Wilson would stand a much better chance at making the cut. It wouldn’t be guaranteed, but there is a place for a short-yardage back. And the 49ers don’t currently have one of those.

With Coleman in the fray, however, Wilson’s chances took a big hit. Coleman is a shoo-in to make the roster, and the 49ers aren’t likely to part ways with McKinnon and/or Breida either.

And with special teams ace Raheem Mostert looking solid on the 53-man roster, too, Wilson is being pushed further and further down the depth chart.

As such, Wilson is squarely on the weaker side of the roster bubble. In order to make the cut, he’ll have to prove leaving him off the roster would be a big mistake, likely using his strength and physicality in a way Shanahan sees him as a can’t-miss asset.

That doesn’t seem to be enough, though, considering the Niners depth here.

But Wilson is still eligible for the practice squad, which is where he could easily end up by Week 1.