Who is the 49ers' next reliable back behind Christian McCaffrey?
Jordan Mason left in free agency. Isaac Guerendo is healthy but unproven. The 49ers' offseason answer is fourth-round rookie Quinshon Judkins.
Christian McCaffrey is 30 in June and coming off a season in which he played all 14 games until late-year back and shoulder issues. The 49ers' offense has never been the same without him. Kyle Shanahan's offseason addressed the No. 2 RB question with a draft pick rather than a free agent: rookie Quinshon Judkins.
Why is this a question now?
Jordan Mason left the 49ers in March on a three-year, $24 million deal with the Bears. Mason carried the ball 200 times across the past two seasons whenever McCaffrey was hurt. His departure leaves a gap between McCaffrey and the rest of the depth chart. The 49ers' offense relies heavily on the running game in Shanahan's outside-zone scheme; the cost of a McCaffrey injury is higher when the backup room is thinner.
What about Isaac Guerendo?
He's the in-house candidate. Guerendo was a 2024 fourth-round pick from Louisville. As a rookie he averaged 6.0 yards per carry on 84 carries, including a 78-yard touchdown run against the Bears. Year two was lost to a hamstring injury that kept him out for most of 2025. He's healthy at OTAs but is also entering year three on his rookie contract without having established himself as a real lead-back option.
Who is Quinshon Judkins?
The 49ers' fourth-round pick in 2026 out of Ohio State, where he transferred from Ole Miss for his senior year. Two-time first-team All-SEC, second-team All-Big Ten. Ran for 1,060 yards and 14 TDs on the Buckeyes' 2025 national championship team. He has the inside-zone vision Shanahan's scheme needs and the pass-protection chops to play on third downs. Most pre-draft evaluations had him as a Day 2 pick.
How does the depth chart line up?
McCaffrey as the lead back (assuming health). Judkins as the projected RB2 in a clear thunder/lightning split (Judkins inside, McCaffrey outside). Guerendo as the change-of-pace back and special-teams contributor. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk anchors the lead-blocking role. The 49ers also re-signed depth back Patrick Taylor to a one-year deal as insurance.
What's the realistic plan?
McCaffrey is on the field for 230 to 270 carries (down from his peak of 272 in 2023). Judkins takes 120 to 150 carries as the change-of-pace and short-yardage back. Guerendo gets the remaining 40 to 60 carries in change-up situations and behind McCaffrey when scripts dictate. The 49ers' season hinges on McCaffrey staying healthy more than on Judkins' development, but Judkins' rookie year is the team's biggest insurance policy.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: Do 49ers have a solid RB option behind Christian McCaffrey?
- NBC Sports Bay Area: 49ers RB depth chart entering 2026
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