The San Francisco 49ers may be exploring trade opportunities. While bolstering the defensive front seems like the logical move, one NFL analyst has proposed a different approach: adding a running back.
Maurice Jones-Drew has suggested that the 49ers could bring back one of two familiar faces—Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert or Jeff Wilson Jr.—to bolster head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense.
With Christian McCaffrey yet to play this season as he recovers from calf and Achilles tendinitis issues, the 49ers have relied on Jordan Mason, who is on pace for over 1,700 rushing yards. Of course, that's assuming he were to remain the featured back for the rest of the season. McCaffrey, viewed as a much more versatile player, is expected to return.
Mason suffered an AC joint sprain last week against the Seattle Seahawks. He practiced on Monday, suggesting the injury is not a severe setback. Nonetheless, the situation put a spotlight on the depth behind Mason. With Elijah Mitchell on injured reserve, the active roster's only other running backs are rookie Isaac Guerendo and veteran Patrick Taylor.
"If Kyle Shanahan is great at one thing, it's getting the utmost production from his backfield," Jones-Drew wrote in a feature for NFL.com. "Jordan Mason has been the most recent example of that success -- following in the footsteps of guys like Raheem Mostert, Elijah Mitchell, Jeff Wilson and Matt Breida, among others. Stepping into the RB1 role with Christian McCaffrey significantly hampered by Achilles issues and Mitchell out for the season, Mason ranks second in the NFL with 609 rushing yards, behind only Derrick Henry (704)."
While recent reports suggest McCaffrey's potential return, Jones-Drew notes that the veteran running back is not guaranteed to play this season. Thus, Shanahan might consider reinforcing his running back corps for the long haul.
"Enter some old friends who left the Bay Area a couple years ago, joining former 49ers coach Mike McDaniel in South Beach," Jones-Drew continued. "Mostert and Wilson are solid veteran options who would add some quality depth to this 49ers attack. Plus, the Dolphins have a pair of young running backs in tow: second-year stud De'Von Achane and budding rookie Jaylen Wright.
"And if we're being honest here -- which I always am -- Miami's season hinges solely on Tua Tagovailoa's health, not its deep group of offensive skill players. Getting something in return for Mostert or Wilson, who both produced under Shanahan's watch in San Francisco, makes sense."
The NFL trade deadline is on November 5.