Early 49ers 53-man roster predictions following 2022 NFL Draft

49ers Running Backs (5)

RB Elijah Mitchell
RB Trey Sermon
RB Jeff Wilson, Jr
RB Tyrion Davis-Price
FB Kyle Juszczyk

There isn’t really much in the way of competition here in the 49ers’ running back room, with the team’s roster currently holding four tailbacks and a pair of fullbacks. And Kyle Shanahan has pretty consistently held onto five total backs, including fullback Kyle Juszczyk, heading into the regular season.

The hope is that this group will provide not only stability but health at a position that lost now-Miami Dolphin Raheem Mostert after two snaps a year ago and saw rookie Elijah Mitchell miss six games due to injury. The team was forced to bring in the likes of Kerryon Johnson and Trenton Cannon to fill roles throughout the year.

That level of attrition, of course, led to wide receiver Deebo Samuel getting moved into his wide-back role, one that may or may not have contributed to his trade demand just weeks ago.

So the unlikely and much-maligned selection of former LSU back Tyrion Davis-Price in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft is likely in an attempt to combat some of those health issues and truly create a four-headed monster at the position.

The issue there, of course, is Shanahan tends to be a “hot hand” guy when it comes to his running backs, so in order to keep his runners fresh, the Niners’ head coach may need to fight against his own tendencies.

JaMycal Hasty is the odd man out here but maybe a player the 49ers can sneak onto the practice squad.