49ers running backs ranked the best in the NFL by The Score
The San Francisco 49ers have the best running back group in the NFL
The Score released its 2020 running back rankings, and even with the departure of Matt Breida via trade, the San Francisco 49ers have the top billing.
Their large amount of depth at the running back position is the reason for the number one spot.
"“The deepest rushing group in the NFL is the unit that made Matt Breida expendable. Not only do the Niners own a quartet of backs who could start and flourish, [Kyle] Juszczyk is also the best fullback in the game. [Raheem] Mostert deserves to enter 2020 as the full-time starter after his career year was capped by a four-touchdown performance in the NFC title game and an appearance in the Super Bowl. However, should he falter, the Niners won’t be afraid to sub in one of their many big bats off the bench.”"
The positives of the 49ers’ running back depth
Last year, the 49ers had 23 rushing touchdowns, which led the NFL — Raheem Mostert‘s eight, Tevin Coleman‘s six, Jeff Wilson‘s four, Deebo Samuel’s three, and one each by Breida and Jimmy Garoppolo.
San Francisco ranked second in rushing yards, and the only team that was better had Lamar Jackson’s 1,206 rushing yards. The 49ers also were second in points scored and 20-yard runs.
In the playoffs, the 49ers’ rushing game continued to shine:
Divisional Round vs. Minnesota Vikings (27-10 win): 186 49ers rushing yards, 21 Vikings rushing yards
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Conference Championship vs. Green Bay Packers (37-20 win): 285 49ers rushing yards, 62 Packers rushing yards
Super Bowl vs. Kansas City Chiefs (31-20 loss): 141 49ers rushing yards, 129 Chiefs rushing yards
Kyle Shanahan’s offense dominated the rushing game in the 49ers’ first two games of the playoffs, and even in the double-digit Super Bowl loss, the Niners outrushed the Chiefs.
With such an amazing regular season and playoffs on the ground in 2019 and the impressive acquisition of Trent Williams, San Francisco is set to duplicate its performance in 2020.
The drawback of too many running backs
However, the 49ers’ running backs are not a lock to finish near the top of the rankings in rushing yards and touchdowns. Injuries can happen and fumble problems can arise, but the Niners seem to have the depth that can make the best running back committee in the NFL in 2020.
The 49ers exercised fullback Kyle Juszczyk‘s team option in March, but he did miss four games last season due to a knee injury.
Mostert has never had 150 carries in a season, so if he is the backfield’s bell cow early in the season, we will have to see if he can carry the load.
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Coleman has seen north of 150 touches each of the last three seasons, and in 2016, he had 149. We will have to see how the combination of Mostert and Coleman does as a part of a very crowded backfield.