49ers news: 5 biggest takeaways from 2021 OTAs
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: Trey Sermon is pushing to be 49ers’ RB1
Admittedly, I thought the 49ers burned a Round 3 pick on Ohio State running back Trey Sermon, particularly thinking they had bigger needs elsewhere, and Sermon was a luxury choice Kyle Shanahan didn’t need to make.
Well, that conclusion is turning to be wrong. And that’s a good thing.
Sermon was one of the top rookie standouts during OTAs, serving as a perfect fit in Shanahan’s outside-zone offense and displaying the breakaway speed and elusiveness needed to thrive in the system.
Granted, there’s no tackling or contact during these workouts, so Sermon’s physicality at the pro level has yet to be determined.
But so far, so good.
Sermon was also aided by a precautionary injury measure the Niners implemented, resting their top running back, Raheem Mostert, who is dealing with a minor knee injury. As a result, Sermon got in plenty of work with the first-team unit, and there’s a good chance he could eventually become the first bell cow-type in Shanahan’s offense since 2017.
If Sermon reaches this and is successful with it, no one will question that third-round selection again.