49ers roster: 3 deepest positions entering 2021 season

49ers Deep Position No. 1: Running Back

The Niners depth at running back is already going to be tested in the wake of losing the veteran, Jeff Wilson Jr., to a torn meniscus that’ll sideline him into the middle of the regular season.

The good news, though, is San Francisco appears to have the depth to absorb this loss and potentially more.

Despite saying farewell to two veteran runners during the offseason, Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon, the 49ers signed former New York Giants running back Wayne Gallman, who admirably filled in for their injured starter, Saquon Barkley, for the bulk of 2020 and averaged 4.6 yards per carry in the process.

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And Gallman might be on the bubble.

Why? Well, the Niners also drafted two more rushers in Trey Sermon and Elijah Mitchell, who’ll compete with returning options in Raheem Mostert and JaMycal Hasty for spots on the roster.

San Francisco is likely to keep four running backs on the 53-man roster, meaning at least one quality or strong-potential player will have to be shown the door. Beyond that, the pecking order of running backs remains almost entirely wide open with spot Nos. 1 through 4 up for grabs.

It’ll be a good competition to have, and the 49ers seemed well prepared to absorb any injury at this particular spot where wear and tear are common.