49ers' running back training camp competition could decide Christian McCaffrey's 2024 workload
Despite he and his dad consistently getting success out of running backs who weren't highly drafted, or even drafted at all, Kyle Shanahan has continued to invest heavily in the running back position during his tenure as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. He did so again this offseason, meaning there will be plenty […]
Despite he and his dad consistently getting success out of running backs who weren't highly drafted, or even drafted at all, Kyle Shanahan has continued to invest heavily in the running back position during his tenure as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
He did so again this offseason, meaning there will be plenty of jockeying for position and potential for change behind Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey on the depth chart.
After previewing the quarterback position ahead of the start of training camp on July 23, attention now turns to the running backs.
Can Guerendo vindicate the trade?
The 49ers rolled the dice in the draft with a move up the board in the fourth round that likely brought a lot of eyeballs from fans.
Not deterred by previous missed swings on Joe Williams and Trey Sermon, with those draft trades backfiring spectacularly, the 49ers dealt two fifth-round picks to the New York Jets to go up for another running back in Isaac Guerendo.
Such a move might appear on the surface to be a superfluous one given the 49ers have the best running back in football in McCaffrey, who carried a tremendous workload for the team last season.
But head coach Kyle Shanahan has spoken openly about wanting to lighten that workload, particularly in terms of reducing his rushing attempts.
In Guerendo, they have another candidate to do that, one who lit up the Combine by demonstrating his game-breaking speed with a 4.33 40-yard dash.
A home-run hitter who can take some of the burden off McCaffrey would a huge asset to the 49er offense, but Guerendo will need more than just speed to get into a position to make an impact in year one.
But Guerendo is taking the right steps to put himself in a position to do so, working with Frank Gore, the leading rusher in 49er franchise history, during the dead period.
There's no guarantee that will help him impress at camp but, if he can do so, the 49ers will be in a good spot to manage McCaffrey better and finally see a running back trade vindicated.
Will Mitchell and Mason make the team?
The selection of Guerendo, combined with the signing of Patrick Taylor Jr. and undrafted free agent Cody Schrader, more on him shortly, have led to questions surrounding McCaffrey's two backups from last year. The main question being: will either of them make the team?
Neither Elijah Mitchell nor Jordan Mason has any guaranteed money on their deal left for 2024. The 49ers would save $1.055 million by parting with Mitchell and $985,000 by letting go of Mason.
Though Mitchell scored the ultimately decisive touchdown in the NFC Championship Game last season, he missed six games and his 3.7 yards per carry marked the lowest average of his career.
Mason was more efficient, averaging 5.2 yards per carry and scoring three touchdows, yet he struggled to see the field, his lack of playing time in part owing to long-standing pass protection issues.
With Mitchell's well-documented durability concerns and the 49ers having cheaper competition vying to take their spots, it's conceivable that both could be cut. They will each hope to prove they are worth keeping around with strong training camp performances, but both being traded or cut is a scenario that will become more likely if Schrader shows progress in his uphill battle.
Schrader hoping to upset the odds
A Division II transfer who walked on at Missouri in 2022, Schrader is used to overcoming the odds being stacked against him.
He led the SEC in rushing in 2023 having worked his way from afterthought to top of the depth chart, but still went undrafted. Now he must find a way to go from the bottom of the depth chart to a player the 49ers believe they cannot afford to risk trying to sneak onto the practice squad.
The 49ers guaranteed Schrader $220,000, a total only topped among their UDFAs by defensive tackle Evan Anderson ($250k), indicating how highly they think of him.
It's easy to see why they have that high opinion. While Schrader certainly does not have the speed of Guerendo, he is a decisive back who should fit the 49ers' run game very well. Schrader shows great burst up to the second level and consistently demonstrates excellent contact balance to fight for extra yardage.
Part of Guerendo's appeal is that, with just 231 carries in college, he does not have a lot of tread on the tires at all. Schrader, with 446 in the last two seasons, has more but didn't carry a huge workload and demonstrated durability in playing all 13 games in each of the last two seasons.
Of the 49ers' two rookie backs, Schrader may be the more 'pro ready'. Yet the disparity in investment between Guerendo and Schrader means it is the latter who has a much tougher task on their hands. He'll need a hugely impressive camp and preseason to leave the 49ers with no choice to keep him on the 53.
George Kittle offers a much-needed history lesson in response to question about 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk talks
He’s very calm about the situation.
