49ers 2020 training camp: One battle to watch for each position
By Peter Panacy
49ers Running Back: How Players Determine Their Roles
A season ago, Kyle Shanahan indicated his large crop of running backs will determine their own roles for 2019.
There’s no reason to assume anything different this season.
True, the Niners cleared the logjam a bit by trading away Matt Breida during the NFL Draft. But that only accounts for one spot which will be filled by fellow tailback Jerick McKinnon after a two-year absence while recovering from a 2018 ACL tear.
McKinnon joins returning veterans Tevin Coleman, Jeff Wilson and Raheem Mostert in the backfield, and that group will be joined by undrafted rookie additions, Salvon Ahmed and JaMycal Hasty.
Just mentioning the names, it’s understandable why this should be a top training camp battle to watch.
Mostert’s role is solidified. And while he had up-and-down moments in 2019, Coleman appears squarely in Shanahan’s good graces. McKinnon’s health is a big factor, yes. But if he’s fully healthy, one can expect a pretty big role there, too.
Don’t sleep on the rookies, however. It wouldn’t be a complete shocker to see someone like Ahmed or Hasty push one of the older established veterans for playing time.
Potentially a roster spot, too.