The San Francisco 49ers decided to trade backup running back Jordan Mason to the Minnesota Vikings. This move is a big vote of confidence in second-year running back Isaac Guerendo who impressed as a rookie.
The Niners had to burn through countless running backs last season just to make it through the 2024 campaign. Pretty much anyone they threw back there had a good amount of success, which speaks to the effectiveness of head coach Kyle Shanahan's run scheme.
Guerendo was no exception. The 2024 fourth-round draft pick out of Louisville played in 16 games and carried the ball 84 times for 420 yards and four touchdowns.
Unfortunately, the 24-year-old first-year pro's season ended with an injury just like the two guys ahead of him on the depth chart, Christian McCaffrey and Mason. The rookie was carted off the field in Week 18 against the Arizona Cardinals. Thankfully, he did not injure his ACL, so the hope is he can recover fully and be ready to go by the start of the 2025 season.
With how the 2024 campaign went in terms of running back health, San Francisco is going to need all of the depth it can get in the backfield. That is why it was a little bit surprising the team decided to move on from Mason. McCaffrey has a lengthy injury history, so there is a decent chance that the 49ers are going to have to use more than one starting running back next season.
The Niners are bringing back Patrick Taylor Jr., who was fourth on the depth chart going into last season but was the team's primary back by the end of the year due to all of the injuries. He adds at least a little depth, and there are familiar names in free agency who could pad out the depth chart even further.
The 49ers clearly saw enough from Guerendo last season to make them believe that he can handle duties as a starter if needed. One hopes that McCaffrey is able to remain healthy for the entire season, but if he goes down again then we will see if the Niners were wise to put so much faith in Guerendo.