SANTA CLARA – Christian McCaffrey’s days as the 49ers’ offensive hero are numbered. Faithful fans know the concerning digits:
30: His age as of June 7, marking the proverbial glass ceiling for NFL running backs.
3.9: His average gain per run last season, his lowest since his 2017 rookie season out of Stanford.
413: His NFL-high touches en route to AP Comeback Player of the Year honors.
The 49ers are well aware. They are also grateful McCaffrey is as determined as ever to produce as a 10th-year dual threat who apparently changed personal trainers this offseason.
Training camp begins next Saturday, and it must uncover the 49ers’ next-best backs. Maybe one will be McCaffrey’s heir apparent. Maybe not. All the focus is on this season, not next.
BEST COMPETITION
Jordan James and Kaelon Black have the makings of a sensational competition as 5-foot-9, 208-pound backs behind McCaffrey.
James’ rookie season last year got waylaid because of knee and finger injuries in training camp. His first touches didn’t come until the final minutes of the season (six carries for 28 yards; 7-yard catch). But the 22-year-old was taking first-team reps in organized team activities while McCaffrey did individual conditioning.
Black, 24, impressed in spring with his burst and catching ability. He’s a rookie but he spent six seasons in college and is coming off a national title at Indiana.
DARKHORSE VETERAN
Could Patrick Taylor Jr. resurface as a trusted veteran? He missed last season because of a dislocated shoulder from the 49ers’ preseason game at Las Vegas. Brian Robinson, last season’s No. 2 back, left in free agency for Atlanta.
GUERENDO’S OUTLOOK
Isaac Guerendo’s pectoral tear in the spring figures to shelve him through camp and make it unlikely he opens the season on the 53-man roster. Not a great way to start his third season, but the 49ers historically have needed a deep unit so an eventual comeback is possible.
COACH’S SCOUTING REPORT
“I see a guy that I think could be developed in the pass game. I mean, we definitely were excited about him and the first thing we loved about him was him as a runner. But, we’ve gotten a lot of guys here who didn’t start out great in the pass game, have the skill set to do it. They just haven’t worked at it that much.” – Kyle Shanahan in comparing Black’s development as a receiver to that of ex-49ers Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell.