Ohio State's National Championship hero a strong candidate to help Kyle Shanahan continue his 49ers draft tradition in 2025
Death, taxes, and the Kyle Shanahan drafting a running back. San Francisco 49ers fans have become accustomed to Shanahan eschewing other needs to add to his backfield with big-time swings on backs during the draft. The results have predominantly been poor but, after trading up in the fourth round last year for Isaac Guerendo and […]
Death, taxes, and the Kyle Shanahan drafting a running back.
San Francisco 49ers fans have become accustomed to Shanahan eschewing other needs to add to his backfield with big-time swings on backs during the draft.
The results have predominantly been poor but, after trading up in the fourth round last year for Isaac Guerendo and seeing the fastest back in the 2024 draft enjoy a promising rookie year, you might feel there is little chance of Shanahan making another such move in 2025.
But him continuing what has been a draft tradition for the 49ers under Shanahan is very much a possibility this year after a 2024 campaign that saw 2023 Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey sit out most of the season through injury.
Jordan Mason thrived in McCaffrey's absence but saw his season end on the same night as his star teammate, the former undrafted free agent suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 13. Guerendo flashed his big-play upside with both McCaffrey and Mason out of the picture. However, with Guerendo's season also ended by injury and Mason a restricted free agent this offseason, it's not difficult to see the 49ers electing to add depth to the backfield in the draft.
Most would expect the latter to be brought back either on an RFA tender or with a contract extension, but the cost associated with both in an offseason in which the 49ers are likely to make Brock Purdy one of the league's highest-paid quarterbacks might deter them from making a concerted effort to hang on to Mason.
Mason's future is not yet fully certain and, with the oft-injured Elijah Mitchell bound for unrestricted free agency, there is a good chance there will be room on the depth chart for a new back, and a compelling candidate to give the 49ers extra insurance behind McCaffrey shone on the biggest stage in college football on Monday.
Quinshon Judkins dominated the National Championship Game as Ohio State claimed victory over Notre Dame, the Ole Miss transfer rushing for 100 yards on 11 attempts for two touchdowns while also making a pair of receptions for 21 yards and a further score.
Most of Judkins' yardage came on a 70-yard scamper in the third quarter that saw him burst into a huge running lane to take the ball all the way down to the five-yard line. Judkins had the benefit of outstanding blocking from his offensive line, but the decisiveness and burst he displayed are defining traits that Shanahan looks for in his running backs.
A devastating stiff arm marked his first touchdown of the game, a run that saw him display the contact balance that has helped Judkins a third straight 1,000-yard season, while the receiving upside that has been evident throughout his college career came to the fore again as he broke free of coverage on a scramble drill for his second.
Between his initial burst, his lateral quickness, the difficulty defenders have bringing him down and what he can do as a pass-catcher, Judkins is an excellent fit for a Shanahan offense.
Consistency in pass protection could be an issue that gives the Niners pause and, most likely a day-two pick, Judkins' potential draft position could be too early for a San Francisco team that has more pressing needs to address.
But having other needs did not stop Shanahan from taking ill-fated swings on former Buckeye Trey Sermon in 2021 or Tyrion Davis-Price in 2022, nor did it deter him from making the big move for Guerendo on day three last year. If he and legendary running backs coach Bobby Turner have a high opinion of Judkins, don't rule out the 49ers solidifying the backfield depth with his selection.
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