Predicting 49ers running back depth chart in 2020
By Peter Panacy
Running Backs on 49ers Offseason Depth Chart
Last year, not including fullback Kyle Juszczyk, Kyle Shanahan elected to keep four running backs on his 53-man roster, while most other teams around the league would keep no more than three.
As such, the room last year was crowded. It stands to be the same again, as the following players are all vying for practice reps and field time this preseason:
- Salvon Ahmed*
- Tevin Coleman
- JaMycal Hasty*
- Jerick McKinnon
- Raheem Mostert
- Jeff Wilson Jr.
*denotes rookie
Mostert, after leading the Niners with 772 rushing yards and a whopping 5.6 yards-per-carry average, is about as safe a bet to make the cut as any as long as he isn’t moved. So is McKinnon, barring another injury setback, considering San Francisco would actually lose more than $1 million in cap space if he were to be cut between now and Week 1.
The wild cards start popping up with Coleman. If he were cut prior to June 1, the 49ers could have saved $4 million in cap space. He wasn’t, though, and the idea Shanahan’s preference for a runner who had only two 100-plus-yard games last season should carry over into 2020.
Those are three names for arguably four spots on the 53-man roster. Ahmed, Hasty and Wilson now find themselves squarely on the bubble, meaning training camp will be vital in determining whether they are able to make the cut.
So, who makes the cut?