Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers 2019 roster bubble-watch prediction ahead of preseason Week 1

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: Anthony Miller #17 of the Chicago Bears is tackled after a catch against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: Anthony Miller #17 of the Chicago Bears is tackled after a catch against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 30: Running back Tevin Coleman #26 of the Atlanta Falcons high steps into the end zone to score in the third quarter of the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 30: Running back Tevin Coleman #26 of the Atlanta Falcons high steps into the end zone to score in the third quarter of the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images) /

Running Back

Lock: Kyle Juszczyk, Jerick McKinnon, Matt Breida, Tevin Coleman

Strong Bubble: Raheem Mostert

Weak Bubble: Jeff Wilson

Long Shot: Austin Walter

There isn’t a lot of drama here, especially towards the top of the running back corps. The only real question is who winds up being No. 1 on the depth chart, and the smart money would probably go on San Francisco’s free-agent pickup, Tevin Coleman.

Fellow running back Jerick McKinnon is expected back off the PUP list soon, and he might be inactive for the first few weeks of the regular season after finally recovering from his 2018 ACL tear.

One would guess Raheem Mostert makes the cut based off his standout special teams abilities. It’s likely he does. But given some of the 49ers’ other pressing roster decisions elsewhere, it’s a bit too much to list Mostert as a pure lock.

He’s still looking pretty good, though.