San Francisco 49ers running back Corey Kiner (49)
San Francisco 49ers running back Corey Kiner (49) | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Former Oregon running back Jordan James has a lot going for him as he enters his inaugural San Francisco 49ers training camp.
Not only did James command use of a draft pick by the Niners on day three, but he also received the personal sign-off from franchise legend Frank Gore just before the pick.
That said, there's another rookie rusher who might be the talk of camp and the preseason, Cincinnati's Corey Kiner.
The former LSU transfer went undrafted, signing with San Francisco not long after the draft concluded. Despite the draft snub, the 5-foot-9 and 209-pound tailback appears to be next in line of one of the many undrafted running backs head coach Kyle Shanahan has molded and developed into quality players.
Now-Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason is the latest example, while other rushers like Matt Breida and even the inherited Raheem Mostert earned recognition during their respective tenures in the Bay Area.
After back-to-back seasons with at least 1,000 yards rushing, the bullnosed and hard-hitting Kiner has an opportunity to carve out not just a depth role on the 49ers' regular-season roster but to potentially emerge as a vital offensive component.
The context is there, after all.
Corey Kiner is a name to watch during 49ers training camp
The Niners largely cleared out their halfback room during the offseason, trading Mason and bidding farewell to the oft-injured Elijah Mitchell. While they're anticipating getting a fully healthy All-Pro, Christian McCaffrey, back into the fray, the depth behind him is fully up for grabs.
On the surface, it'd appear second-year pro Isaac Guerendo would be the favorite for an RB2 role, while James and potentially special teams ace Patrick Taylor Jr. having a say.
Kiner, however, might be a name who quickly ascends the depth chart, likely emerging as top competition against James while going as far as making Shanahan reconsider who he wants as McCaffrey's primary backup.
Additionally, the number of carries given to Kiner this preseason might be a good indicator. If he makes the most of those chances, it might be impossible to ignore him as a worthy roster add, emulating how Mason effectively pushed San Francisco draftee Tyrion Davis-Price off the squad.
Should that happen, don't be shocked if Kiner winds up being one of the biggest risers from 49ers camp, riding the coattails of that momentum toward a roster spot.