49ers offseason: 3 sneaky needs for San Francisco in 2022
By Peter Panacy
49ers sneaky need No. 3: Running back
It might not seem so pressing, at least not after the emergence of 2021 sixth-round NFL Draft choice Elijah Mitchell, who set a franchise record for a rookie running back with 963 rush yards over 11 games.
But Mitchell, who missed six games because of injuries, could also watch as some of his teammates depart via free agency this offseason, namely Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr.
San Francisco could retain either player or even both. Yet the high-profile moves this offseason are likely to focus on other areas of need, not at running back.
It’s still possible the 49ers push fellow second-year pro Trey Sermon, a Round 3 pick who netted a mere 167 rush yards in 2021, into a bigger role. Aside from him, though, the only other tailback the Niners have rostered into 2022 is JaMycal Hasty, who has been little more than a scatback gadget-type weapon over his two years at the pro level.
Mitchell’s injury history, combined with the fact Kyle Shanahan prefers a running back-by-committee approach, makes the need for yet another rusher quite apparent.