Power ranking each 49ers position group entering Week 1 of 2023 season

No. 1: Running Backs

The best position group on the 49ers roster is the running back unit, and that would probably be true even if Kyle Juszczyk was not included in this group.

The Niners running backs are supremely talented and equally deep - boasting perhaps three running backs capable of starting for the team.

It all begins with Christian McCaffrey, whose acquisition last year spurred the 49ers offense forward. McCaffrey is a top-five running back in the NFL and certainly the most versatile. It could be argued that McCaffrey is the best route runner on the 49ers... as a running back. An almost unprecedented 1000 yards rushing, 1000 yards receiving season could be in the cards for CMC.

The other starter for the running back room, Juszczyk, is a do-everything back, and as the stalwart of a dying breed of fullbacks, has kept himself as an essential part of the offense.

Behind McCaffrey is where the 49ers running backs really shine in comparison to the rest of the roster. Backup Eliijah Mitchell has battled injury concerns throughout his career, but he is also the 49ers' rookie rushing leader of all time and still gets valuable snaps with McCaffrey on the roster. He could easily start for the Niners if they did not have McCaffrey, and in fact, that was the plan until the McCaffrey trade.

Behind him is second-year back Jordan Mason, who played his way onto the roster last year and endeared himself with his hard-nosed running style. Because of his special teams play, Mason will always be active and may garner himself a few snaps at running back to add a physical element to the rushing attack.

Finally, there is second-year back Tyrion-Davis Price, who was drafted in the third round last year and was usurped on the depth chart by Mason. But Price has come back in better shape and better accustomed to the 49ers rushing attack, and his performance in training camp and preseason means he could be ready to make an impact in the regular season.

Even the most pessimistic read of the running back room gives them two starting running backs along with Juszczyk, and there is no reason to assume the worst with this position group. It has the sheer talent and depth to propel itself to the top of these power rankings.

This power ranking shows the ways the 49ers roster has grown over the years, the differences and similarities to a similar exercise done in 2021 show how they've cultivated talent over the years.

With this roster, a deep run in the playoffs is the expectation.