SF 49ers: Jeff Wilson finished 2020 on a high note in loss vs. Seahawks

The SF 49ers’ loss to the Seahawks in Week 17 had some great individual efforts, including those from running back Jeff Wilson.

As was the case heading into 2019, running back Jeff Wilson Jr. wasn’t guaranteed to make the SF 49ers‘ 53-man roster this season. After all, the Niners had an experienced stable of tailbacks seemingly ahead of him on the depth chart, including Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon, as well as an up-and-coming rookie in JaMycal Hasty.

By the year’s end, though, Wilson was the No. 1 option at head coach Kyle Shanahan’s disposal.

Sure, San Francisco lost its 2020 regular-season finale to the Seattle Seahawks, falling 26-23 in a game where there were plenty of what-if moments. Yet Wilson, who scored both of the SF 49ers’ touchdowns during the game, put together yet another impressive performance in what had been a frustrating season, both for the team in general and for many of its other running backs.

True, the stat sheet and his final touchdown don’t appear overly impressive. Wilson’s second touchdown — a 7-yard “garbage-time” catch-and-run score on a pass from quarterback C.J. Beathard — was against soft Seattle coverage. And Wilson’s 76 rush yards on 20 attempts, averaging 3.8 yards per carry, don’t exactly jump off the page.

Yet Wilson’s first touchdown, which helped build San Francisco’s lead out to 16-6 early in the fourth quarter, was impressive enough:

https://twitter.com/49ers/status/1345876871972491264

And what made it even better was the fact the Seahawks were keying in on the SF 49ers’ ground game, knowing all too well it would be difficult for Beathard to beat them with any sort of regularity through the air.

Wilson frequently ran against seven- and eight-man boxes. While Seattle managed to contain him to less than 4 yards average per carry, it’s important to note how the former undrafted free agent continues to impress when given chances.

Especially recalling his astounding 22-rush, 183-yard performance against the Arizona Cardinals the week before.

Finishing the season, Wilson put himself into the team lead for most rushing yards with an even 600. He also netted 135 receiving yards and finished the year with a team-best 10 touchdowns.

Not bad for a player entering 2020 on the fringes of San Francisco’s depth chart.

What’s more important moving forward, however, is Wilson could easily cement himself as a cheaper, more reliable replacement and upgrade over fellow running backs Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon, who are both scheduled to become unrestricted free agents this offseason.

Wilson, too, is a free agent. Although he’s of the restricted variety, and it’ll be much easier for the SF 49ers to keep him around on the cheap.

Another productive game with 88 total yards and two touchdowns is evidence enough why he’ll be an important commodity for the Niners’ 2021 roster plans.