Niner Noise
FanSided

Rethinking 49ers 53-man roster predictions one week into training camp

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - MAY 23: Dontae Johnson #36 of the San Francisco 49ers participates in drills during 49ers Rookie Minicamp on May 23, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - MAY 23: Dontae Johnson #36 of the San Francisco 49ers participates in drills during 49ers Rookie Minicamp on May 23, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 18: Tevin Coleman #26 of the Atlanta Falcons is tackled by Aaron Lynch #59 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at the Georgia Dome on December 18, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 18: Tevin Coleman #26 of the Atlanta Falcons is tackled by Aaron Lynch #59 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at the Georgia Dome on December 18, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Running Back (5)

Halfback: Tevin Coleman, Matt Breida, Jerick McKinnon, Raheem Mostert

Fullback: Kyle Juszczyk

Another stockpiled position, yet it’s good the 49ers have kept so many running backs heading into 2019.

San Francisco’s feature free-agent pickup last year, Jerick McKinnon, still hasn’t been cleared to practice after recovering from an ACL tear this time a year ago. He remains on the PUP list, although he’s expected to come off it shortly. Even so, McKinnon is likely to be worked in slowly, meaning fellow running backs Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida are currently ahead of him on the depth chart.

And Raheem Mostert makes the cut based off special teams alone.

If there’s one X-factor beyond injury in the mix here, it’s the short-yardage back. Perhaps Coleman assumes this role, too, although it does open up the door for second-year pro Jeff Wilson to have a chance.

Provided Wilson holds onto the ball this season after fumbling three times in 2018.

Wilson has an uphill climb to make the roster, and the Niners would likely have to see some serious setbacks amid players with a far better shot for that to happen.