49ers 53-man roster predictions ahead of final wave of 2021 cuts

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San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert (31) Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

49ers Running Backs (5)

HB Raheem Mostert

HB Trey Sermon

HB Elijah Mitchell

HB JaMycal Hasty

FB Kyle Juszczyk

By in large, this group is one of those with very few questions marks, with each of Raheem Mostert, Trey Sermon, and Kyle Juszczyk locked into their spots on the basis of either their previous veteran experience or, in Sermon’s case, draft position.

The question then becomes who fills those final two spots in the running back room, since it’s likely Kyle Shanahan will want to keep four halfbacks plus Juszczyk.

The only change here from previous predictions is the switching out of former undrafted free agent JaMycal Hasty for veteran Wayne Gallman, largely on the strength of Hasty’s performance on Sunday against the Raiders.

Hasty finished with 55 yards on just six carries and two touchdowns, including a 35-yard scamper late in the third quarter to all but seal the 49ers’ preseason victory. Gallman did end up leading the 49ers in rushing yards against Las Vegas with 60 yards, but did so on 13 carries, leading to 4.6 yards per carry versus Hasty’s 9.2.

Ultimately, the decision may come down to whether the Niners trust Hasty to do the little things, such as providing protection on passing downs, that Gallman does well, something which may eventually tip the scale in the veteran’s favor. But there’s little doubt that Hasty is the better, more explosive runner at this point.

Elijah Mitchell remains here only because the team could be concerned about exposing him to waivers and losing one of their draft picks. The rookie sixth-rounder out of Louisiana hasn’t had much of a training camp or preseason due to injury, but the 49ers obviously like him a lot. If he makes the roster, look for him to be mostly a special teams player or a healthy scratch on game day.

Those two spots will come down to that trio and the expectation here is that San Francisco goes younger as it looks towards a three-headed running back monster of Sermon, Mitchell, and Hasty in the years to come.