Trey Sermon: 3 bold predictions for 49ers running back in 2021

No. 2: Trey Sermon leads 49ers in total yards

This one sounds kind of insane, but hear me out.

Trey Sermon taking over the lead back role would subsequently lead to him presumably leading the team in rushing as well. But what if on top of Sermon proving his rushing ability to the team, he is able to carve out a third-down role, too?

Kyle Shanahan often utilizes his running backs in the passing game as well, and while Sermon isn’t necessarily being labeled as an elite pass catcher, it isn’t out of the question he can sharpen that skill throughout the season, as Shanahan will unquestionably require that Sermon to be active on 3rd-and-long situations if he is the team’s leader out of the backfield.

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The other silver lining is that none of the 49ers wide receivers have reached 1,000 yards receiving yet in their careers, and they still must fight superstar tight end George Kittle for targets. Not to mention they all have some lingering injury concerns.

This would mean that if Sermon is able to reach the 1,000-yard rushing landmark in his rookie season, coupled with a few hundred yards receiving, he would possibly lead the 49ers’ attack in total yards.

This is obviously quite the bold statement, but it isn’t out of the realm of reality.