Some people feel the San Francisco 49ers have the most talented team in the NFL right now, at least on paper.
Last season, they had four players who got selected onto the All-Pro First-Team and six men who made the Pro Bowl, and there is a chance that number goes up this coming season.
They are rock-solid at multiple positions, including at running back, a position that Pro Football Focus feels they rank No. 1 in.
The Top-10 RB units in the NFL, per @PFF_Gordon pic.twitter.com/vcokgHXRyN
— PFF (@PFF) June 23, 2023
The Niners’ starter at running back is Christian McCaffrey, whom they acquired in a midseason trade in October from the Carolina Panthers, a team that looks much different now than it did at the time.
McCaffrey instantly supercharged what was then a stale 49ers offense, and he has proven to be an outstanding fit for head coach Kyle Shanahan’s scheme.
The tailback put up 746 rushing yards, 464 receiving yards, and 10 total touchdowns in 11 regular-season contests with San Francisco in 2022.
But the thing that tips the scales in their favor in terms of having the best running back crew in the NFL is the fact that they have a very good backup.
Elijah Mitchell is second on their depth chart behind McCaffrey, and other than being injury-prone in his first two pro seasons, he would make a solid starter on a number of teams.
Mitchell has logged 1,242 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground while averaging 4.9 yards per carry in 16 career NFL games.
After reaching the NFC Championship Game in three of the last four seasons, anything less than a Super Bowl championship this coming season will be considered a failure for the 49ers.
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The 49ers May Hold An Elite NFL Crown This Summer
