The San Francisco 49ers have had their share of struggles when drafting running backs, particularly in the third round. One notable example came in 2021, when they traded up to select Trey Sermon. Despite starting two games and rushing for 167 yards and a touchdown as a rookie, Sermon was waived after just one season. He later joined the Philadelphia Eagles, where he had minimal impact, before spending the next two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.
In the following year’s draft, the 49ers tried again in the third round, selecting Tyrion Davis-Price with the 93rd overall pick in 2022. His stint in San Francisco lasted two seasons, but he managed only 120 rushing yards on 3.0 yards per carry before being released. Davis-Price spent the 2024 season on the Eagles’ practice squad and appeared in just one game, gaining seven yards on three carries. Though he signed a reserve/future contract with Philadelphia, he was waived on Sunday to make room for undrafted receiver Giles Jackson. Now, Davis-Price is searching for his third NFL team in four years.
The 49ers’ difficulties at drafting running backs date back to 2017, when they selected Joe Williams in the fourth round a pick that didn’t pan out. Although they found success with Elijah Mitchell in the sixth round in 2021, their higher-round investments like Sermon and Davis-Price haven’t delivered.
Be the first to comment