Running back Trey Sermon was a third-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in last year's NFL Draft. Initially, there was a lot of excitement about the selection, with most feeling the team may have found a long-term contributor. However, Sermon played only 107 offensive snaps in 2021 and had just 41 rushing attempts, gaining 167 yards and a touchdown on those carries.
Overshadowing Sermon was San Francisco's sixth-round pick, their final draft selection, Elijah Mitchell. Mitchell ended up being the 49ers' leading rusher, gaining 963 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns on 207 carries while adding 19 receptions for 137 yards and a receiving touchdown through 11 games and 10 starts.
"Trey, I think, had to make an adjustment to how you run in the NFL," general manager John Lynch said on Sermon in March. "I think that's natural for rookies. He got into a situation where Elijah was playing a lot as the season evolved."
Sermon appears to be working hard this offseason to ensure he receives an opportunity to prove his worth. The second-year running back is working out with Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook and Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary, per a video provided by TheSFNiners.
During that March conversation, Lynch expressed optimism about Sermon's future with the 49ers and the team's depth in the running back room.
"Trey is someone we're really excited about, as we are with Elijah," Lynch added.
49ers players report to training camp on July 26.