Rookie running back Tyrion Davis-Price weighed in at 211 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds. He was about 225 pounds during his time at LSU. That's about where the San Francisco 49ers want Davis-Price to be in his first NFL season.
"I'll be between 220, 222 this season," Davis-Price told reporters on Friday. "... That's what I'm best playing at, around that weight, 220, 222."
According to the team's official weight listings, that's bigger than any of his new running back teammates. Trey Sermon comes close at about 215 pounds. That ideal weight hints at how the 49ers envision using the third-round draft pick—as a power runner more than a finesse weapon. Remember, Elijah Mitchell dealt with several injuries while recording the best season ever by a 49ers rookie running back. San Francisco may want to take some pressure off their young star.
"I'm just excited about it," Davis-Price said of playing in the 49ers offense. "Coach Shanahan's offense, everyone knows about it. It's well know. I'm excited to get out there and work, bust my tail, do whatever I need to do for this team to win the Super Bowl."
His added weight will help him as a blocker too. That could be essential in protecting the team's second-year quarterback, Trey Lance, especially with a lot of uncertainty surrounding the interior of the offensive line.
"[My mindset is] like a linebacker," Davis-Price said. "Deliver the blow, don't wait on it. Go attack him. Punch him in his mouth, and just play football."
Davis-Price added, "I just love contact. Defenders, they don't want that. They don't like that. So I'm just ready to bring it to this next level, show what I can do, and have fun."
New 49ers RB coach Anthony Lynn works with Ty Davis-Price, Josh Hokit and others pic.twitter.com/dcBfoFH1YR
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) May 13, 2022
Davis-Price will be learning from assistant head coach Anthony Lynn, who is filling in this season for running backs coach Bobby Turner. So far, Lynn has made a positive impression on the young running back.
"He's my type of coach, so that's another thing that I was very excited about, getting in, learn," Davis-Price shared. "He has the experience, I think, what you need as a running back coach—the details, just knowing the game. He was a head coach, too, so he knows all phases of the game. He'll help you out in ways that some coaches can't."