Projected to Start
Tevin Coleman, Jerick McKinnon, and Kyle JuszczykTevin Coleman has a leg up on all competition with McKinnon and Matt Breida unable to participate in OTAs and Coleman's familiarity with Shanahan's system. Coleman's 2016 season was his best: nearly 1,000 scrimmage yards on fewer than 150 touches and a career-high 11 total touchdowns. Shanahan had a plan of not overloading Coleman with touches, but rather making his touches efficient. In the red zone, Coleman was especially effective, which would be a welcome addition to a team needing more options around the goal line.
The play below highlights not only play design but the mismatches Coleman can create on linebackers:
Obviously, the team doesn't have a target like Julio Jones on the roster, but it's play design here. Julio in the slot gets "hung up" with the coverage linebacker and Coleman gets more than a step. Classic shanny design, send receivers in the same direction and leak Coleman out. pic.twitter.com/No8RBMsXN5
— Jason Aponte (@JasonAponte2103) July 19, 2019
Nearly the same concept here:
Nearly the same concept, except Austin Hooper is in the slot. Coleman will be a nightmare for cover linebackers. pic.twitter.com/yVWbDkYnCC
— Jason Aponte (@JasonAponte2103) July 19, 2019
With McKinnon's Week One status up in the air, Coleman is the only lock to start at this point. Rumors swirled after the Coleman signing about whether McKinnon would be cut, but McKinnon's contract contradicts that thought. In 2016, Atlanta had success using Devonta Freeman and Coleman as a one-two punch. Shanahan is looking to duplicate that with Jet and Coleman. McKinnon and Freeman are the same physical build, but Freeman's running style is much more physical. I expect Shanahan to use McKinnon on more outside runs than he did with Freeman.
Kyle has tremendous success with outside runs. Jet has a big shot to flourish. Keep in mind, the Vikings line was sub-par, to say the least. pic.twitter.com/zH5kapnowP
— Jason Aponte (@JasonAponte2103) July 19, 2019
Here we see what Shanahan loves about McKinnon, great with the ball in his hands, fast and elusive:
I truly believe that Kyle views Mckinnon as the Devonta Freeman in this offense. Mckinnon is faster but Freeman is more physical even though they are literally the same in stature. Jet offers more in the pass game also. Plays like this show that. pic.twitter.com/avlUaGfi7v
— Jason Aponte (@JasonAponte2103) July 19, 2019
Kyle Juszczyk is always in play due to Shanahan's position-less offense, which makes for some interesting decisions come game day.
Projected Backups
Matt Breida and Raheem MostertMatt Breida played through multiple injuries in 2018, most likely to keep the momentum he built going. As an undrafted player, you have to imagine Matt pushing through injuries to show his worth. Breida improved in nearly every statistic, his yards per carry (4.4 to 5.3) and catch rate (58.3% to 87.1%) jump out at you immediately. As possibly a third back in the rotation, the 49ers have one of the best running back groups in the league.
Raheem Mostert was pressed into duty in 2018 after injuries ravaged the group. He's a lock to make the team and be active on game day.
Outlook
Coleman and McKinnon can be a lethal combination and give Shanahan flexibility in his play calling. I expect Coleman to be a very big red zone threat and I've gone on record saying he will top 11 touchdowns this season. If in fact McKinnon isn't available for week one or longer, Matt Breida is more than capable of filling in and allows McKinnon to take his time recovering. Conversely, if McKinnon is ready to go then Breida is the most likely candidate to be inactive on Sundays.
Next: Wide Receivers