49ers roster: Stock up, stock down on 2021 NFL Draft class

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San Francisco 49ers running back Trey Sermon (28) against Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Riley Cole (46) Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

Stock Up. . Running Back. San Francisco 49ers. TREY SERMON

49ers RB Trey Sermon

Third-round running back Trey Sermon’s stock immediately shot up during OTAs when the veteran, Raheem Mostert, was rested a lot in preparation for the regular season.

With Sermon getting plenty of work with the first-team unit, in conjunction with fellow veteran runner Jeff Wilson Jr. suffering a meniscus tear and now sidelined well into the regular season, the former Ohio State product is going to have a clear-cut role his rookie year without question.

Sermon got the start during San Francisco’s preseason opener with Mostert again resting and staying fresh. And while the former didn’t exactly put up eye-popping numbers — 26 rush yards on nine carries — it’s important to note Kyle Shanahan wasn’t exactly drawing up the complex and often-explosive run plays you’ll typically see during the regular season.

Again, why reveal those in an exhibition contest?

There’s a good chance Sermon winds up being the 49ers’ top-performing rookie this season, particularly if the Niners are patient with Trey Lance’s development in year one.