The San Francisco 49ers' backfield is all of a sudden a crowded one. The 49ers ranked 13th in the league last season rushing for 113.9 yards per game. Matt Breida led the rushing attack for the 49ers in 2018 but might have to take a back seat this season. Jerick McKinnon will be returning after missing all of last season with a torn ACL. San Francisco also added Tevin Coleman in the offseason.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan will essentially be adding three dynamic offensive players in Coleman, McKinnon, and Jimmy Garoppolo, who also missed significant time with a torn ACL. With an offensive mine like Shanahan at the helm, San Francisco will try and feature a big play offense. What does this mean for the running backs heading into 2019?
Tevin Coleman
The case for: Coleman signed a two-year, $10 million deal this offseason to head to San Francisco. There he will reunite with his former offensive coordinator during his time in Atlanta. Coleman scored 11 touchdowns in 2016 when Shanahan was the OC in Atlanta. He has never been a three-down back. Coleman split time with Devonta Freeman; however his efficiency is off the charts. In 56 games, Coleman is averaging 4.4 yards per carry, 11.0 yards per reception, and has scored 29 touchdowns. He is one of five players who have scored eight or more touchdowns in each of the last three seasons. Coleman should receive the most touches out of any running back on the 49ers, so this makes him a strong flex option.
The case against: Plain and simple, workload. While Coleman should receive the most touches, he will certainly get some stolen from the other backs. Coleman has never been a three-down back in his career, and it is unlikely that he will be in San Francisco. There is no way to predict how Shanahan will use his talented backfield. This is why Coleman is safest as a flex rather than a starting running back on your fantasy squad.
Jerick McKinnon
The case for: McKinnon signed a four-year, $30 million contract with the Niners, but missed his first season with a torn ACL. Last time McKinnon was on the field, he was in Minnesota. In 2017, McKinnon set career highs in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, receptions, and receiving yards. He proved to be a legitimate threat in the passing game, which will help in a PPR format. When the ball is thrown his way, it is usually complete. McKinnon caught 51 passes on 68 targets in 2017. With Garoppolo retuning, McKinnon could be used a lot as the Niners will look to throw the ball.
The case against: McKinnon is not a goal-line threat. He has just seven rushing and five receiving touchdowns in his career. While his reception numbers have been stellar, his efficiency has not been. McKinnon is averaging 6.9 yards per reception in his career. Coming off a torn ACL is never easy. McKinnon will have to prove he is healthy and split time with Coleman and Breida. This makes McKinnon a bench player on fantasy teams, and a necessary handcuff with Coleman.
Matt Breida
The case for: Believe it or not, Breida will come into 2019 as the 49ers' longest-tenured running back. He is entering his third season in San Francisco. Breida stepped in nicely last season and finished with 153 carries for 814 yards. He averaged 5.3 yards per carry which was seventh-best in the league. He caught 27 of 31 targets and finished with 261 receiving yards, 9.7 yards per reception. Breida took advantage of McKinnon's injury and proved that he could succeed in a Shanahan run offense.
The case against: Unfortunately for him, Breida is the clear third-option on this team. It will be hard for him to steal touches from Coleman or McKinnon. At 5'10, 190-pounds, Breida is not a goal-line back. He has just five rushing touchdowns and seven carries inside the five-yard line in his career. He is averaging 1.62 yards after contact in his first two years. Breida can be taken in the late rounds of some drafts, but will likely go undrafted. To all Coleman and McKinnon owners, pay close attention the waiver wire if one of them goes down with an injury. Breida will be waiting and ready to duplicate his production of 2018.
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