49ers roster: Predicting running back depth chart with Wayne Gallman

Predicting 49ers running back depth chart

JaMycal Hasty’s availability and status remain very much in doubt, and it would be fair to assume the lateness of his ACL tear could cut into the necessary recovery time he’ll need to make any sort of impact early when the regular season rolls around.

San Francisco 49ers

For that reason, Hasty starts off 2021 on a physically unable-to-play list and won’t make the 53-man roster, although these four players do and are ranked in this order on the depth chart:

1. Raheem Mostert
2. Wayne Gallman
3. Jeff Wilson Jr.
4. Austin Walter/2021 rookie

Let’s go ahead and assume Kyle Shanahan brings aboard a rookie running back, either via the draft or as an undrafted free agent. That player should directly compete with Walter for a spot on the 53-man roster.

And while most teams don’t typically carry four active running backs on game days, the nature of injuries and Shanahan’s tendency to use a running back-by-committee approach could alter things a bit here.

Wilson, arguably, is the biggest loser from the Gallman addition. Prior to the signing, Wilson could have been a perfect complementary running back to Mostert, yet Gallman’s presence surely will take away touches from a player who had two 100-plus yard games in three starts last year while Mostert was absent.

Still, there’s probably going to be a way in which Wilson makes some sort of impact.

But if Gallman makes a sizable contribution, the 49ers running back room could reach a full dynamic it never came close to enjoying last year.