Even though the San Francisco 49ers lost to Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs during the last Super Bowl, they still boast an elite unit ahead of the 2024 season. Case in point, the team’s set of running backs was recently named as the best in the league by PFF.
The 49ers had a strong season, starting 5-0 before suffering a midseason slump. However, they rebounded after their bye week, winning six straight games to clinch their fourth playoff berth in five seasons. The 49ers clinched the NFC West and the number seed in the NFC, despite failing to match their 13-4 record from the previous year.
In the playoffs, the 49ers narrowly defeated the Green Bay Packers before staging a remarkable comeback to beat the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship. This set up a rematch of Super Bowl LIV against the Chiefs, but the 49ers were unable to avenge that previous loss, falling in overtime.
Offensively, the 49ers were dominant, setting a franchise record with 491 points scored and becoming the first team with four 1,000-yard scrimmage players. Defensively, they were equally impressive, finishing 3rd in scoring defense and tying for the league lead in interceptions. Despite the Super Bowl defeat, the 49ers’ 2023 campaign was another successful season for the organization.
San Francisco 49ers’ Running Back Corps Gets Top Spot in NFL Analysis for 2024 Season
Setting aside their Super Bowl loss, San Francisco remains an elite team on both ends of the field. Case in point, a recent article on PFF written by Trevor Sikkema about how the 49ers’ running backs are the best in the NFL.
“Christian McCaffrey is PFF’s top-ranked running back heading into the 2024 season, so it should be no surprise the Niners take the No. 1 spot here.
McCaffrey generated the most PFF wins above average among running backs last season, at 0.25. Elijah Mitchell also remains a very solid RB2 option with rookie Isaac Guerendo as the upside RB3. Throw All-Pro fullback Kyle Juszczyk into the list, and the 49ers more than deserve this ranking,” Sikkema wrote.
A few weeks ago, McCaffrey signed a two-year extension worth $38 million with San Francisco. Locking him down ensures that the 49ers’ running back group will have their anchor and keep them performing well.
With a fresh start later this year, San Francisco is aiming to get back to the top and win a Super Bowl subsequently. If that’s going to happen, the team will rely heavily on their running backs to get the job done.
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