5 available running backs 49ers should look into adding
The San Francisco 49ers may need to do something about their backfield depth.
Running back Jordan Mason has racked up 48 carries in his first two games. Rookie RB Isaac Guerendo got one carry in Week 2, but he was stuffed for no gain. It doesn't appear Mason's workload is sustainable. It also doesn't appear as though the 49ers have a player head coach Kyle Shanahan is comfortable putting in for the third-year undrafted RB.
Perhaps San Francisco is comfortable with the RBs on their active roster and practice squad RB Ke'Shawn Vaughn. Head coach Kyle Shanahan intimated the team is happy with the players they have at running back, but they may have to make a change if Shanahan can't trust one of Guerendo or Patrick Taylor to handle some of Mason's workload.
Here are five players the 49ers could seek out in free agency, practice squads and via the trade market:
Jerick McKinnon
Free agent
He's a familiar face who is familiar with the 49ers' offense. He's also a pass-catching threat who had a career resurgence with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Dalvin Cook
Cowboys practice squad
Cook's best years are behind him, but adding him off the Cowboys practice squad could make some sense if the 49ers are aiming to use him as an RB2 behind Mason.
Matt Breida
Free agent
Breida doesn't have the juice he had while he was with the 49ers from 2017-20. However, he knows the offense and offers enough pass-catching chops to step
Michael Carter
Cardinals practice squad
Carter is another current practice squad player who the 49ers could conceivably sign to improve their backfield. He was a fourth-round selection of the Jets in the 2021 draft. He played 21 games across his first two seasons with New York and averaged 4.0 yards per carry and hauled in 77 passes. He's the type of known quantity who may be maximized in an offense like San Francisco's.
Will the Dolphins do a trade?
The Athletic's Matt Barrows proposed a couple of trade ideas the 49ers should absolutely call Miami about. He posed two trades. In one San Francisco acquires Raheem Mostert. In the other they get Jeff Wilson Jr. Both players would fit nicely back in Shanahan's offense, and they could both be maximized as RB2s behind Mason.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 5 available running backs 49ers should look into adding
