The San Francisco 49ers running back depth could look a little different this season.
Typically whoever is listed behind Christian McCaffrey on the depth chart wouldn’t matter much. McCaffrey has played virtually every meaningful snap for the 49ers since he arrived in the middle of the 2022 season. The backup RB was used sparingly to either chew clock with tough runs between the tackles, or in the event McCaffrey was unavailable.
Over the last couple of years the RB2 job has belonged to 2021 sixth-round pick Elijah Mitchell. It’s been hard to argue with the choice given how good Mitchell has been when he’s on the field. The problem is his availability has been scattershot in each of his first three NFL seasons. His healthy questions have opened the door for 2022 undrafted RB Jordan Mason to sneak into that backup role.
Mason’s ascension felt inevitable. He’s averaging 5.6 yards per carry on 83 attempts as a pro, and his downhill running style fits the 49ers’ scheme well. Mason has filled in when Mitchell has been out, but the last couple years it’s been Mitchell back in the RB2 role once he’s healthy.
Whether it’s a skill set issue or some other problem only apparent to 49ers offensive coaches, Mason just hasn’t been able to overtake Mitchell.
That appears to be changing in 2024 with Mitchell sidelined again by a hamstring injury during training camp. Mason got the first series of the 49ers preseason opener and turned in six carries for 34 yards and a touchdown behind an offensive line that featured only three of the 49ers’ presumed starters and no Trent Williams.
Tacking that on with his improved pass catching and it becomes harder to envision a world where it’s Mason, not Mitchell, backing up McCaffrey in 2024.
It may be more important than ever, too. While McCaffrey still figures to play a lion’s share of the snaps, the 49ers could aim to lighten the 28-year-old’s workload as he enters his eighth NFL season. Those end-of-game snaps that used to be available in blowouts may become more frequent in close games. They may also come more frequently through the early parts of games to keep the aging RB fresh.
If Mason continues running the way he has his entire career while getting extra reps with Mitchell out, he could very well be the player the 49ers call in to relieve McCaffrey this season.
