49ers roster predictions: Who’s in, out at running back?

In for 49ers: Raheem Mostert and Kyle Juszczyk

Let’s get the easy names out of the way first.

Kyle Juszczyk certainly isn’t going anywhere after inking a five-year, $27 million contract during the offseason.

While that might be a contract outlier, Juszczyk’s importance to Kyle Shanahan’s offense can’t be understated, although one could argue Shanahan would be wise to incorporate Juszczyk a bit more into the passing game rather than the one or two touches the fullback gets per contest.

Raheem Mostert, meanwhile, is the other elder statesman of the Niners backfield.

At 29 years old and entering a contract year, it’s entirely possible Mostert is playing his last year with San Francisco, particularly with the addition of two rookie tailbacks.

That said, Mostert is by far the most experienced runner in Shanahan’s complex offense, and Mostert’s speed is still an X-factor the 49ers will want to deploy on a regular basis.

While Mostert might eventually give way to another one of the players on this list, expect him to still be an integral part of what the Niners do on the ground this season.