49ers depth chart: Post-NFL Draft 53-man roster prediction for 2021

49ers Running backs (5)

RB Raheem Mostert

RB Trey Sermon

RB Jeff Wilson, Jr.

RB Wayne Gallman or Elijah Mitchell

FB Kyle Juszczyk

The previously mentioned caveat regarding the practice squad comes into play here, since the 49ers have loaded up at the running back position in the days leading up to the draft and then during draft weekend.

During that time, the Niners signed former New York Giants back Wayne Gallman before drafting Ohio State product Trey Sermon in the third round and then bolstering the unit again with Lousiana-Lafayette standout Elijah Mitchell to close out their draft in Round 6.

The thinking here is the Niners brass was considering not just 2021 but beyond, as of this group, only the rookies and fullback Kyle Juszczyk would be under contract past this year.

And while the “or” is there between Gallman and Mitchell, the real name of intrigue here is Mostert, who outside of Gallman, would be the easiest cut or trade to make without costing San Francisco a lot in the way of dead money. Gallman’s contract is a veteran minimum, meaning there’s no dead money, while Mostert would leave just $458,334 in dead money if he was cut or traded.

It sounds a little crazy to think Mostert might not be on this team heading into 2021, but it isn’t out of the realm of possibility, especially given the amount of time John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have spent preaching about player durability in the lead up to the draft.

I would expect a full stable of running backs, however, whether it’s Gallman or Mitchell, with Sermon, Juszczyk, and Jeff Wilson veritable locks at this point.