49ers: 5 bottom-of-the-roster players to watch this preseason
By Peter Panacy
The NFL preseason is all about depth competition, and these five 49ers players who find themselves lower on the roster should garner attention.
It’s a truth NFL fans know all too well: The preseason is less about giving starters and first-team players an opportunity to prepare for the regular season, rather it’s more about determining who on the depth chart should earn those coveted reserve spots on the 53-man roster and, to a lesser extent, the practice squad.
For the most part, the San Francisco 49ers have the bulk of their starting positions figured out. While there are some first-string jobs up for grabs — yes, even including the starting quarterback bid between Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance — the overwhelming majority of competition will focus on the depth and reserves.
Considering the sheer number of injuries the Niners suffered last year, it’s probably smart to have the best possible options as backups to guard against this possibility again in 2021.
San Francisco kicks off its preseason campaign this year on Aug. 14 against the Kansas City Chiefs, and these five bottom-of-the-roster players should garner a lot of attention as they strive to carve out roles for themselves on the 49ers’ regular-season roster.
49ers Player to Watch No. 5: Running Back Elijah Mitchell
The Niners appear set with their top two running backs heading into 2021, Raheem Mostert and the rookie, Trey Sermon. Yet the depth behind those two is quite an open-ended question with Wayne Gallman, JaMycal Hasty and another rookie, Elijah Mitchell, all looking to determine their own roles this season.
Mitchell, in particular, has been a training camp standout, at least according to Sports Illustrated’s Grant Cohn, who pointed out the following after one such practice:
"As well as Sermon has played, Mitchell has played even better. He currently is the second-best running back on the team after Mostert. Almost all of Mitchell’s runs gain big yards."
It’s not likely head coach Kyle Shanahan keeps five running backs on his 53-man roster, meaning someone of the crop between Mitchell, Hasty and Gallman will have to go.
For now, it’s looking like Mitchell isn’t just only safe but perhaps making his way towards the top of the depth chart.
Crucial, considering the rotational aspect of Shanahan’s ground attack and the need to guard against injury.