49ers roster: Predicting 2022 starting offensive lineup

49ers Running Backs: Elijah Mitchell

49ers Fullback: Kyle Juszczyk

Kyle Juszczyk’s position as starting fullback is without reproach. The only question will be whether a re-tweaked offense system, courtesy of Trey Lance at quarterback, will allow the 49ers to utilize Juszczyk’s mismatch ability down the field more than in prior years.

The running back position is also, on its face, done and dusted. Elijah Mitchell had a historically successful season as a rookie running back, and he’s reportedly bulked up in hopes of handling a heavier workload.

The starting position will be his to lose.

From there, though, things get a little more complicated. Kyle Shanahan’s running back usage oscillates between a permanent committee and an over-dependence on one back, seemingly at the same time. The Niners have never been shy to run the hot hand, creating situations where after an injury to Raheem Mostert in 2020, Jeff Wilson Jr. took a stranglehold on the “starting position.”

However, they’ll always have situational backs, most notably on third down.

All this is to say that Mitchell’s hold as “the starter” doesn’t mean he’ll get an outright majority of snaps at the position, and it’s always a small tweak away from losing even a plurality.