Will the 49ers Add a Veteran Running Back?
A few may be available..
Last season, the 49ers dealt with injuries to both Christian McCaffrey and Isaac Guerendo, this season is starting out similarly. Isaac Guerendo, Jordan James, Corey Kiner, and Patrick Taylor Jr. are all currently sidelined with injuries, with Taylor just being placed on season-ending IR. This leaves a significant drop-off after McCaffrey, with Jeff Wilson Jr. and Ke'Shawn Vaughn likely viewed as temporary solutions until the others recover. With these ongoing injuries, the team is certainly in the market for depth—but at what cost?
Under Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers have consistently produced high-performing running backs. However, the one issue has been consistency at the position—only one back has repeated as the team’s leading rusher during Shanahan’s tenure. Undrafted free agents and late-round gems have been a staple of the 49ers’ running back room, with players like Matt Breida, Raheem Mostert, Elijah Mitchell, Jeff Wilson Jr., and Jordan Mason all finding success in Shanahan’s system. While each exceeded expectations, only one has been a truly dominant force. The need to add a starting caliber veteran running back before week one is a must.
Rumors are swirling that Washington Commanders’ starting running back Brian Robinson Jr. and New York Jets’ Breece Hall are both available via trade for the right price. Both players are in the final year of their rookie contracts and carry low cap hits, but would likely require an extension. They would be clear upgrades in the running back room behind McCaffrey and are still young—Hall is 24, and Robinson is 26.
Hall and Robinson would provide valuable insurance if McCaffrey were to suffer another injury-plagued season, and at 29 years old, he’s approaching the age where many at the position begin to decline. The rest of the returning backs have also battled injuries in recent years. In recent days Robinson has sat out of the teams final preseason game with the thought being he is likely to be traded or released before the season begins. Compensation should be no more than a 5th or 6th round pick in value. Robinson has the ability to be a difference maker immediately for Shanahan and Co. as he already has three straight seasons of over 700 yards rushing and last season got into the endzone 8 times.
On the other hand, the 49ers have already invested heavily in their running back room. McCaffrey is one of the highest-paid backs in the league, and the team spent draft picks on Isaac Guerendo and Jordan James. That’s a significant commitment to the position. Acquiring Robinson or Hall would require contract extensions next offseason, and both players would likely command strong interest on the free agent market. Additionally, the 49ers have pressing needs at other positions, including wide receiver, interior defensive line, offensive line, and safety. While adding another offensive weapon is tempting, the chances seem slim.
This move might only make sense if the trade compensation is low. Acquiring a young, proven workhorse back to complement McCaffrey and potentially take over in the future could be a savvy play. However, if the asking price is too high, the team may be better off preserving its draft picks to address bigger roster needs next season.