San Francisco 49ers May Have Found the Perfect RB2 Behind Christian McCaffrey

Christian McCaffrey is one of the most explosive running backs in the league, arguably the premier player at the position, and in a lot of ways the engine that powers the San Francisco 49ers‘ offense.

McCaffrey is vitally important to the 49ers’ success, and last season rushed for a career-high 1,459 yards with 14 touchdowns and has been equally dangerous in the passing game where he accounted for 564 yards and seven more scores.

However, given the nature of the running back position and the physical toll that is exacted by a season with upwards of 339 touches, the 49ers may need to lighten McCaffrey’s load in 2024. Fortunately for head coach Kyle Shanahan, McCaffrey, and the 49ers, San Francisco boasts a plenty capable backup behind the four-time All-Pro and reigning Offensive Player of The Year.

San Francisco 49ers RB Jordan Mason a Diamond in the Rough

CBS Sports NFL analyst Chris Trapasso put together a list of running backs across the NFL who could thrive in feature roles if given the chance, or called upon to, including Jordan Mason.

“[Kyle] Shanahan has cemented himself as one of the NFL’s finest offensive minds,” Trapasso points out for CBS. “And like what was absolutely true with his dad, Mike Shanahan — the Shanahan running scheme, even as it has evolved, is luxurious for running backs of any kind, picked in any round in the draft, or ball carriers not drafted at all.

“Mason, at a sturdy 5-foot-11 and 220-plus pounds with uncharacteristically nimble footwork relative to his size and effortless power, can absolutely stand in as a valuable RB2 or, yes, San Francisco’s RB1 if the situation ever called for it. And maybe it’s time to give this underutilized stud more than 40ish carries in a season. ”

Last season, Mason rushed for 206 yards and three touchdowns. But, given the nagging injuries McCaffrey played through down the stretch in 2023, and the lofty expectations San Francisco has for 2024, Mason could see a more significant role in the offense this season.

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