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Jerick McKinnon #28 of the San Francisco 49ers speaks to the media through the San Francisco 49ers media availability previous to Tremendous Bowl LIV on the James L. Knight Heart on January 29, 2020 in Miami, Florida.
When the San Francisco 49ers signed Jerick McKinnon in March of 2018, there was a variety of motive for optimism.
After constantly producing whereas splitting reps with RBs Adrian Peterson and Dalvin Cook dinner as a Minnesota Viking, the 49ers signed McKinnon to a four-year, $30 million contract.
Nonetheless, an ACL tear later that yr and a setback the yr after that has seen the previous Georgia Southern halfback miss two straight NFL seasons, together with the 49ers Tremendous Bowl run in 2019.
After latest information that McKinnon is working with Peterson for his comeback, in addition to San Francisco common supervisor John Lynch’s latest feedback, the 49ers are nonetheless determining who to commit too on the working again place for 2020.
The Case for McKinnon
Probably probably the most spectacular stat of McKinnon’s is the truth that he led the Vikings’ RBs in yards per carry for 3 straight seasons from 2015 to 2017. His profession common is 4.Zero YPC, which is just about the minimal for any split-carry or function again within the NFL.
Whereas it needs to be accounted for that McKinnon will lose a step or two after a two-year hiatus and harm, his energy as a again wasn’t solely targeted on pace, it additionally needed to do together with his means to learn the sector and make clever, incisive cuts within the working lanes.
Probably the greatest examples of this was again in Week 5 of 2017 when McKinnon took a toss to the home for a 58-yard rating (about 55 seconds into the video.)
It’s a easy adjustment, however when McKinnon sees heart Pat Elflein have a transparent path because the lead blocker, the RB activates the jets and cuts in direction of the center of the sector as he hits the entire. Simple landing.
Mostert and Coleman have respective strengths over McKinnon, however the different space that the veteran is strongest is as a pass-catching choice.
Coleman has 113 profession receptions and averages 10.5 yards per catch, which is healthier than McKinnon’s 6.9. However the former Viking has a greater catch-rate on 142 receptions, sitting just under 75 p.c in comparison with Coleman’s 68.9 p.c.
McKinnon’s resume and id are invaluable sufficient for a lot of NFL rosters, however it’s only a matter of if it’s price it to the 49ers.
The Case Towards McKinnon
The 49ers well restructured McKinnon’s contract after his second season out of motion, however would nonetheless need to take a loss on $Four million in useless cap over 2020 and 2021 in the event that they reduce him.
This may occasionally seem to be a case to maintain him, and it's, however it's also the kind of sacrifice the 49ers might make in the event that they thought one of many youthful UDFA choices could be a greater worth and contributor.
Lynch lately spoke on McKinnon’s restoration to The Athletic’s Matt Barrows, stating he was cautious however hopeful.
“I believe there’s all the time that crucial final juncture of a rehab the place you go from working straight forward and even making an attempt to simulate a few of the chopping that goes on at that place, particularly,” Lynch mentioned. “Then, you go play soccer and it turns into rather more reactive. And that’s the place he struggled. He’s continued to place in work. There are some optimistic indicators that we’re on a greater observe.”
Lynch additionally spoke on McKinnon’s catching means, saying, “we had a transparent imaginative and prescient of what he might carry for [the 49ers.]” Nonetheless, McKinnon’s catching means shouldn’t be his promoting level.
Whereas his numbers are higher than Coleman’s, they’re not absurdly higher. It’s helpful to have a productive RB within the receiving division, however is it price almost $three million a season?
The opposite problem is that McKinnon’s probabilities to earn extra carries appear unlikely if Mostert and Coleman stay wholesome. Coleman averages a barely higher 4.three yards per carry than McKinnon’s 4.0, however Mostert’s restricted snaps haven’t stopped the 49er from constantly breaking off chunks, averaging 6.Zero yards per carry in his profession.
How or the place the 49ers use McKinnon will depend on his well being and efficiency coming as much as the common season. Actually, till he’s in a position to stack up subsequent to Coleman, Mostert and the UDFAs, San Francisco gained’t make their resolution.
Nonetheless, if a type of rookies impress whereas McKinnon continues to get again up to the mark, there's a probability that the 49ers will tackle 2020 with out him.
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Evan Reier is a sportswriter masking the San Francisco 49ers for Heavy.com and native sports activities for the Montana Normal in Butte, MT. Comply with and attain out to him on Twitter at @evanreier.
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