Lost season should convince 49ers to play these 5 backups more

The 49ers' 2024 season is all but finished, meaning these backups need to get more attention down the final stretch.

At 5-7 through 13 weeks, the San Francisco 49ers are still surprisingly very much in the playoff hunt.

This, thanks to the fact no one is running away with the NFC West and the Niners are trailing the division-leading Seattle Seahawks by just two games in the win column. With five games left to play in the regular season, San Francisco still has an outside chance.

But that's about it.

The 49ers could, in theory, limp into the playoffs. However, amid an adversity-infused season, it'd likely be a one-and-done elimination appearance in the Wild Card round for head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad, which would only hinder his team's aspirations for 2025 and beyond.

While it's impossible to sell the idea of "tanking" to players and other coaches, Shanahan and Co. can at least better prepare for next year by focusing on rosterees who may (or may not) be part of the team's long-term plans.

These five, in particular, need to see an uptick in use after spending the bulk of 2024 in backup roles.

No. 1: RB Isaac Guerendo

It'll happen by default, especially in the wake of All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey suffering a likely season-ending PCL injury in the Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

But rookie rusher Isaac Guerendo can further his value as a probable No. 2 for future seasons with Jordan Mason also heading to injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain suffered in the same game

Of note, this was a role Guerendo held behind Mason over the first eight weeks of the season while McCaffrey was dealing with Achilles tendinitis.

The fourth-round draft pick out of Louisville already has 246 rush yards and two touchdowns this season while averaging 5.9 yards per carry, meaning he can work his way toward being a vital part of the Niners' future ground attack.

No. 2: LB Dee Winters

It's unclear whether or not injured linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) could or should return this season, and replacement backer De'Vondre Campbell certainly isn't in San Francisco's long-term plans either.

Plus, with Greenlaw a pending free agent in 2025, the 49ers need to have a contingency plan in place.

Second-year linebacker Dee Winters has gotten into action over 10 games this season, starting six of them. And the former TCU product has managed to hold his own in coverage, too, limiting opposing quarterbacks to a 71.5 passer rating when targeting him.

Even if Greenlaw returns and is re-signed this offseason, developing Winters further should provide some bonus insurance.

No. 3: WR Ricky Pearsall

Also by default, the Niners have essentially been pressed into giving more field time to their top-drafted rookie from 2024, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who made his NFL debut in Week 6 against the Kansas City Chiefs after a frightening gunshot wound during an attempted robbery last August.

Pearsall has had flashes, including a nifty touchdown on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers two games later. But the first-year pro hasn't been much of a focus of late despite San Francisco being shorthanded at the position, namely due to veteran wideout Brandon Aiyuk's season-ending ACL and MCL tears suffered against KC.

Regardless, Pearsall should be given every opportunity to earn a featured role in Shanahan's offense, even if it means taking away snaps and looks that'd otherwise go to another receiver like Deebo Samuel.

No. 4: OL Ben Bartch

Reserve offensive lineman Ben Bartch is only signed through 2024, but he'd certainly be a cheap re-sign if the 49ers like what they see down the stretch.

Bartch got the spot start at left guard over Aaron Banks (concussion) and ended up being one of Pro Football Focus' highest-graded Niners from an otherwise forgettable affair.

Banks, who has regressed this season, is a free agent in 2025 and still could price himself out of the Niners' long-term plans.

If San Francisco has no intention of retaining Banks, it'd be beneficial to see if Bartch would be worth keeping instead.

No. 5: DT Evan Anderson

Like Bartch, rookie defensive tackle Evan Anderson isn't going to receive a lot of hype anytime soon, but the undrafted first-year pro has certainly worked his way into the defensive line's rotation amid a plethora of trench-related injuries the 49ers have suffered up front.

Anderson, too, received high PFF marks for his efforts at Buffalo and could have a pathway toward becoming a fixture of the interior D-line if his maturation continues on an upward trajectory.

Pro Bowl defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, currently on injured reserve with a triceps injury, could be a cap casualty this offseason, leaving Anderson in the mix for playing time alongside veterans like Maliek Collins and Jordan Elliott.

That competition should start now.