Although Carlos Hyde was coming off his finest NFL season, the 49ers did not even make an attempt to re-sign him.
Instead, the organization targeted a player in free agency who provides the skills coach Kyle Shanahan covets in a running back. Jerick McKinnon was a spot player during his four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. But he will be asked to take on a much-greater role after signing a four-year, $30 million contract with the 49ers as a free agent.
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SIGN UP HERE Fullback -- Kyle Juszczyk, Malcolm Johnson
Running back -- Jerick McKinnon, Matt Breida, Raheem Mostert, Joe Williams, Jeremy McNichols, Jeff Wilson
Best Of The Bunch
McKinnon is not big, but he has a unique blend of strength, speed, quickness and catching ability. If he remains healthy, McKinnon should be able to provide in the neighborhood of 1,500 yards from scrimmage as a runner and receiver. He is coming off his best NFL season, as he gained 570 yards rushing and caught 421 yards in passes for the Vikings. It will be Shanahan’s job to find a way to exploit matchups to get McKinnon open out of the backfield. And McKinnon should take in from there, becoming difficult for any defender to bring him down in space.
Top Camp Battle
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Mostert vs. Williams. Mostert made the team last season as the 49ers’ third running back. He proved his worth with his outstanding play on special teams. The 49ers’ third running back does not figure to get many touches unless he is pressed into action due to an injury. Mostert found a way to contribute as the team’s best player on special teams. Williams still has a chance to live up to the promise the 49ers saw in him leading up to the 2017 draft. On video, he showed Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner everything they want out of a running back. He was chosen in the fourth round from Utah. He has good size and the ability to hit the hole quickly and tear off large chunks of yardage. However, Williams lacked a sense of urgency as a rookie and did not hold onto the ball in training camp. He spent the season on injured reserve with a minor foot injury. If Williams is ready to compete from the opening of training camp, he can still work his way into the mix.
Long Shot
McNichols was a fifth-round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year from Boise State. He was ticketed back to the team’s practice squad. But the 49ers swooped in and convinced him to sign with them. McNichols went through his first offseason program and will get a legitimate chance to compete for a roster spot.
Overview
McKinnon and Breida are teammates once again after being together at Georgia Southern five years ago. They are similar backs in size and style. That might not be ideal, but Shanahan does not seem to think it is much of an issue. He wants running backs who can put stress on opposing defenses – players who can turn one missed assignment or blown coverage into a touchdown. Breida is a solid No. 2, coming off a rookie season in which he gained 465 yards with a 4.4 average, while also catching 21 passes for 180 yards. Juszczyk, the Pro Bowl fullback, will not necessarily become the short-yardage back. His main duties remain providing assistance as a lead-blocker, as well as running past linebackers to flash his pass-catching skills to give the offense another chess piece on third downs. Juszczyk caught 33 passes on the season. But in the five starts of Jimmy Garoppolo, Juszczyk had 17 receptions for 195 yards.
