49ers depth chart: Can Jordan Mason push Trey Sermon off the roster?

In back-to-back preseason games, the 49ers have watched Jordan Mason outperform Trey Sermon at running back, potentially shaking up the depth chart.

A number of things can be true when looking at how the San Francisco 49ers have invested in their running back room under head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Yes, Shanahan has a knack for identifying late-round NFL Draft picks or even undrafted free agents at this position. Look no further than the 2017 grab of former Niners tailback Matt Breida as an example.

At the same time, though, Shanahan has arguably reached on running backs, including adding two in Round 3 of the draft over the last two years, Tyrion Davis-Price this year and Trey Sermon back in 2021.

Breida outshined San Francisco’s fourth-round running back that year, Joe Williams, who never saw a regular-season snap and is no longer in the league.

Now, it’s possible 2022 undrafted rookie Jordan Mason is outshining Sermon.

49ers have seen 2 quality preseason games from Jordan Mason

Before anyone crowns Mason as the 49ers’ next hidden-gem find at running back, it’s important to acknowledge the bulk of his efforts during the Niners’ first two preseason games of 2022 have primarily come in the fourth quarter, the former Georgia Tech rusher going up against third- and fourth-string players of both the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, respectively.

It does cut both ways, though, as Mason’s blockers aren’t exactly top-notch either.

However, take a look at the stats the undrafted rookie put up in back-to-back weeks:

• Preseason Week 1 vs. Packers: Six carries, 30 yards, 5.0 yards per carry
• Preseason Week 2 @ Vikings: Nine carries, 57 yards, 6.3 yards per carry

Shanahan’s subtle switch from an outside-zone rushing scheme to more of a power one is tailored for both Sermon and Mason.

However, it’s been Mason who has impressed the most out of the two exhibition games.

Should 49ers keep Jordan Mason over Trey Sermon?

Sermon’s rookie year was disappointing. Rushing for a mere 167 yards and being relegated to an inactive list late in the season, all while fellow rookie tailback Elijah Mitchell came from being a sixth-round pick to setting a franchise record for a rookie with 963 yards, isn’t a good look.

Granted, Sermon impressed Shanahan against Green Bay despite having six carries for just 11 yards, as the head coach pointed out the second-year pro’s better decisiveness.

However, and despite dealing with an ankle injury, Sermon’s five carries for only 8 yards against Minnesota isn’t exactly a sign he’s far ahead of Mason on the depth chart.

Even though Mason didn’t come into the game until well into the second half.

Related Story: Jordan Mason could seriously shake up 49ers depth chart

So, is Sermon’s roster spot in danger?

Probably not, if we’re being honest. Even if Sermon has struggled a bit in two preseason games, the Niners haven’t exactly done him many favors with good blocking up front, using a makeshift offensive line that has largely struggled since training camp.

And it might be premature to give up on a third-round investment so soon anyway.

Playing behind linemen who aren’t likely to make San Francisco’s 53-man roster, it’s hard to gauge Mason’s potential to be a quality addition to the regular-season crop.

However, the undrafted rookie might have shown a bit too much positive over these two bouts for the 49ers to simply stash him as a reserve on the practice squad this season.

In all likelihood, another team would love to pluck him away.