49ers NFL Draft: Ranking each rookie by projected 2021 impact

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Trey Sermon #8 of the Ohio State Buckeyes (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

49ers Rookie No. 2: Trey Sermon, Running Back

The 49ers traded up for a reason. They love Trey Sermon. And as a powerful runner, he could work his way as the bell-cow back for San Francisco in 2021 while the likes of Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson play in smaller spurts around him for maximum effect.

What constitutes a “start” for a running back in the Niners offense is up for debate. Is it the running back on the field first or is it the running back with the most carries? If you consider it to be the latter, Sermon could very well be the starter as the 49ers’ durable runner of the roster.

Sermon’s weaknesses also play into this. Sermon isn’t a three-down starter at running back as he isn’t a great blocker or receiver. He more fits the mold of a guy who can play on early downs and wear down defenses, then get off the field to allow speedier or more receiver-friendly backs to take the field.

As usual for rookies, preseason games will play a lot in how they feature in 2021. But if Sermon shows he can handle the workload early, he could be the first and most frequent cab off the rank to batter through the defense.