49ers rookie stock watch after 5 games in 2021

49ers Round 6 Rookie: RB Elijah Mitchell

It’s truly humorous how good the Niners front office is at picking late-round running backs.

Elijah Mitchell has been one of the brightest spots of this roster thus far. Even though he suffered a shoulder injury in Week 2 and was forced to miss two weeks, he has been the team’s unquestioned leading rusher when healthy, boasting a stat line of 189 rushing yards (4.2 yards per carry) and one touchdown, as well as four catches for 30 yards as well.

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His Week 1 explosion against the Detroit Lions, in which he rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown, made NFL headlines as he was called upon in relief following Raheem Mostert’s injury.

Not only that, but Mitchell is probably the reason for Trey Sermon being a healthy scratch in Week 1 and only scantly used in games Mitchell has been present ever since. Sure, that’s a knock on Sermon, but it’s also an endorsement of Mitchell.

Mitchell is a player whose stock is undoubtedly ON THE RISE. He is a true stud and will probably be this team’s leading running back for the remainder of the season and beyond.

Another late round hit for head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co.