The 49ers have high-priced wide receivers and a Pro Bowl quarterback, but when opposing defenses prepare to face the 49ers offense, the first thing they have to worry about is the 49ers running backs.
Between Christian McCaffrey, Kyle Juszczyk, Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason and sometimes Deebo Samuel, the 49ers certainly have one of the best running back rooms in the NFL. That’s why CBS’s Tyler Sullivan ranked the 49ers’ running back room in the top tier of the NFL along with the Ravens, the Eagles and the Packers.
“While Christian McCaffrey is arguably the top back in the league,” writes Sullivan. “The 49ers also have capable backs like Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason, and rookie Isaac Guerendo in their stable along with fullback Kyle Juszczyk.”
Sullivan is correct that McCaffrey might be the best running back in the NFL right now — he just won the Offensive Player of the Year Award. He’s so good that the other running backs rarely carry the ball. So it’s hard to know just how good Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason currently are. And Kyle Juszczyk is more of a tight end than a running back, considering he blocks and catches passes but rarely carries the ball.
Meanwhile, other teams have multiple running backs who gain 1,000 yards in a season. The Lions have David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs who combined for 2,393 yards from scrimmage and 24 touchdowns last season. And the Dolphins have Raheem Mostert and Devon Achane who combined for 2,184 yards from scrimmage and 32 touchdowns last season.
So the 49ers might have the best running back, but I wouldn’t say they have the best running back room.