Jeff Wilson will head to training camp as the 49ers' #2 RB, according to The Athletic's Matt Barrows. Wilson "looked significantly better in the spring than he did late last season when he was still dealing with the aftereffects of an offseason knee injury," Barrows writes. RB Ty Davis-Price, meanwhile, missed some time this spring with an injury. There's still plenty of time for the rookie to climb the depth chart, but don't assume that TDP will begin the season as RB Elijah Mitchell's backup.
Per beat writer Cam Inman, new 49ers RB coach Anthony Lynn “is believed to be high” on Trey Sermon. The 2nd-year RB handled only 41 attempts as a rookie and watched Elijah Mitchell — drafted 3 rounds later — lead the team in rushing. A former HC, Lynn brings a wealth of experience following stops with 8 different organizations. Only 23, Sermon will look to carve out a role alongside Mitchell, Jeff Wilson and rookie 3rd-rounder Tyrion Davis-Price.
The 49ers held RB Elijah Mitchell out of the offseason program following a "clean-up" knee procedure. While an exact date is unknown, Mitchell underwent the procedure sometime in early 2022. Per team insider Matt Barrows, Mitchell is “expected” to return for training camp. Frankly, it’d be a major surprise if he’s not on the field for day 1. But we’ll keep a close eye on the 2nd-year back who’s fresh off posting 207-963-5 in 11 games (10 starts). He'll be pushed for touches by Jeff Wilson, Trey Sermon and rookie 3rd-rounder Tyrion Davis-Price.
Per team insider Matt Barrows, the 49ers loved Tyrion Davis-Price’s burst on tape. He reached one of the fastest recorded speeds of the NCAA season on one run vs. Alabama, according to the team. “A lot of times, guys reach higher speeds because they have the opportunity,” assistant GM Adam Peters said. “They maybe aren’t as fast as other guys, but because they have the opportunity to run 60 yards in a straight line they reach a high speed. (Davis-Price) reaching his top speed in a short amount of space is more impressive.” A Round 3 pick, TDP also brings some much-needed physicality to the backfield. There’s room for him to carve out a year 1 role in Kyle Shanahan’s system.
49ers RB coach Anthony Lynn gave his assessment of rookie RB Ty Davis-Price. “We saw a body type that we don’t have right now.” Lynn said at OTAs. “A bigger back that can run, and physical, who can block. You want that thunder and lightning approach. We have some guys who can move around. We’ve got lightning. Hopefully Ty brings that thunder.” Added Lynn: “He’s made a couple cuts on the field that shows his natural running ability. And for a big man to be able move the way he can move, and he’s shown some soft hands. I will get him right pass protection-wise, but right now, in shorts, we have no idea.” The San Francisco backfield is certainly one to watch closely over the next few months.
49ers 3rd-round rookie RB Ty Davis-Price said he plans to play this season between 220 and 222 pounds. He cut down to 211 to run a 4.48 forty at the Combine. According to David Lombardi of The Athletic, a heavier TDP “signals that the 49ers are indeed trying to add more thump to a backfield that might be asked to execute more inside-zone runs with Trey Lance.” The LSU product enters the summer looking to carve out a role alongside Elijah Mitchell.
Beat writer Eric Branch believes the 49ers could "hand off even more this season while easing in Trey Lance.” Last year, San Francisco ranked 6th in rush attempts (29.3 per game). Under HC Kyle Shanahan, the team’s ranked top-14 in rushes in 4 straight seasons. The 49ers were reportedly sold on Tyrion Davis-Price’s “size, physicality and aggressiveness,” per Branch. The rookie will need to earn a role this summer. But Elijah Mitchell’s durability concerns and a lost 2021 from Trey Sermon shows there’s a path to year 1 snaps for TDP.
The 49ers selected LSU RB Tyrion Davis-Price in Round 3 of the NFL Draft. The 6'0, 219-pounder ran a 4.48-second 40-yard dash at the Combine, giving him an 89th-percentile speed score among NFL RBs. He turned that into just 4.6 yards per rush across 3 seasons with the Tigers, though. Davis-Price took over the backfield in 2021, carrying 211 times for 1,003 yards and 6 TDs. He added just 10 catches, though that number did lead LSU RBs. San Francisco selected him in the same round it chose RB Trey Sermon a year ago. We'll see about the planned role for Davis-Price in his rookie season.
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