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3 free agents Anthony Lynn might bring to 49ers in 2022

By Jeremy Wohlfart

Head coach Anthony Lynn of the Los Angeles Chargers (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) *** Local Capture *** Anthony Lynn
Head coach Anthony Lynn of the Los Angeles Chargers (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) *** Local Capture *** Anthony Lynn /
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Justin Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers running back Justin Jackson (22) Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

49ers Free-Agent Target No. 2: Running Back Justin Jackson, Chargers

The Niners are in an interesting pickle given their running back situation, and how they generally have liked to utilize their entire running back corps in games.

Injuries sort of forced San Francisco’s hand on this issue with Elijah Mitchell and Deebo Samuel leading the team in the second half of the season.

Mitchell and Samuel are, naturally, about 100 different varieties of awesome. But the 49ers do historically like to play with more than just a few running backs.

Raheem Mostert is in his contract year, and while the Niners would like to retain him, there are other priorities, and he’s too injury prone to give a large contract to. Trey Sermon showed some skill as a runner early on in the season but fell out of favor due to injury and a lack of ability in special teams.

Read More: 5 bold predictions for the 49ers 2022 offseason

Justin Jackson is just a rotational running back for the Chargers but has shown quite a lot of promise with 68 carries for 364 yards and two touchdowns and a 5.4 yards-per-carry average last season. He’s also shown some abilities in the passing game as well with 22 receptions for 178 yards.

Jackson has been roughly as impressive in his other three seasons as well without being a starter. He’s been a good backup for the Chargers but seems like the kind of running back who could flourish in the 49ers system.

Running back may not be the biggest need for San Francisco, but a handy weapon like Jackson could only help the development of Trey Lance and ease any pain from a Mostert departure.