The 49ers have a highly-paid wide receiver and a Pro Bowl quarterback, but when opposing defenses prepare to face the 49ers offense, the first thing they have to worry about is the 49ers running backs.
Between Christian McCaffrey, Kyle Jusic, Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason and even Deebo Samuel at times, the 49ers have arguably the best running back corps in the NFL, which is why CBS' Tyler Sullivan ranked the 49ers running back corps among the best in the NFL, tied with the Ravens, Eagles and Packers.
“Christian McCaffrey is arguably the best back in the league,” Sullivan wrote. “The 49ers also have other talented backs in fullback Kyle Juszek, Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason and rookie Isaac Guerend.”
Sullivan correctly points out that McCaffrey might be the best running back in the NFL right now. He just won the Offensive Player of the Year award. McCaffrey is so good that other running backs rarely carry the ball, so it's hard to know how good Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason are right now. And Kyle Juszek is more of a tight end than a running back, given that he blocks and catches passes but rarely carries the ball.
Meanwhile, other teams have had multiple running backs who reach 1,000 yards in a season: the Lions have David Montgomery and Jameel Gibbs, who combined for 2,393 yards from scrimmage and 24 touchdowns last season, while the Dolphins have Raheem Mostert and Devon Acchane, who combined for 2,184 yards from scrimmage and 32 touchdowns last season.
So, while the 49ers may have the best running back, they don't have the best running back staff.