Final year-end grades for 49ers 2021 NFL Draft class

Round 3, Pick No. 88 Overall: 49ers running back Trey Sermon

It might not have been totally surprising for the Niners to use a third-round pick on a running back, especially to help guard against the likelihood of starting runner Raheem Mostert’s injury history and the lack of proven depth behind him on the roster entering 2021.

Still, former Ohio State running back Trey Sermon was nevertheless a questionable selection, particularly after San Francisco traded up to grab him in Round 3.

While nowhere near as vital to perform as a second-round pick, Round 3 picks are nevertheless expected to be modest contributors, either in a starter’s role or at least as a high-caliber backup with eyes on the future.

Sermon could still fit into that latter category. However, especially early in the year, it was clear Kyle Shanahan favored other options on the roster, relegating Sermon to scant usage on offense when injuries hadn’t piled up and often placing Sermon on the weekly inactive list.

Sermon’s 2021 totals? A mere 167 rush yards and a touchdown over nine games played, two of them starts.

Pretty disappointing in terms of what the 49ers were likely expecting.