49ers depth chart: Who makes the cut at running back in 2020?

Who’s in, out on the 49ers depth chart at running back in 2020?

The San Francisco 49ers depth chart at running back is going to give head coach Kyle Shanahan plenty of tough challenges and questions heading into the upcoming 2020 season.

Despite Shanahan being known for his intricate play design and ability to scheme receivers to get open into space and create yards after the catch, the fact remains his Niners are still a run-first team. San Francisco was second only to the Baltimore Ravens in total rush attempts and yards on the ground last season. And anyone who watched the 49ers barrel their way through the NFC playoff picture earlier this year can attest to just how effective the ground game was.

Entering 2020, that approach needs little reason to change very much.

Yet the context, and ultimately the 49ers depth chart, is contingent upon some tough choices Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner have to make between now and Week 1. The Niners already alleviated the crowded running back room during the NFL Draft by trading away their leading rusher from 2018, Matt Breida, to the Miami Dolphins.

But by adding undrafted rookies Salvon Ahmed and JaMycal Hasty after the draft, along with getting Jerick McKinnon back from a two-year injury absence, San Francisco’s tailback spots on the roster are as logjammed as ever.

A year ago, Shanahan told reporters his running backs would define their roles entering 2019. That’ll probably be a similar approach used this season, too, although Shanahan never shies away from going with the hot hand.

But who on the 49ers depth chart wins out? Let’s take a deeper look.