These 49ers need to have epic bounce-back 2023 campaigns
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell
Speaking of 2021 rookies, that year showed some serious glimpses that the 49ers had a potential star in the making in running back Elijah Mitchell.
After all, Mitchell set a franchise record with 963 rush yards over just 11 games. And while injuries got in the way of the other contests, one can only imagine what his numbers would have been like over the course of a full season if he’d stayed healthy.
Well, Mitchell didn’t stay healthy in 2022.
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He saw action in just five regular-season games instead of getting that sought-after uptick in field time. And, once the Niners traded for Christian McCaffrey, Mitchell’s importance to the offense took a serious hit.
McCaffrey is now the unquestioned bell cow on the ground for San Francisco, but Mitchell can still play a vital role if he can prove the ability to stay on the field consistently.
2023 will go a long way toward determining such.