UPDATE:
Elijah Mitchell running with the 2s in warmups, so he could be RB2 behind Raheem Mostert today for #49ers although JaMycal Hasty also an option
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) September 12, 2021
It appears that Elijah might get the most run of the backups today. He has some fantasy appeal in this matchup.
UPDATE: Trey Sermon is listed as INACTIVE for Week 1. JaMycal Hasty and Elijah Mitchell will be Raheem Mostert’s backups.
The San Francisco 49ers added more than just Trey Lance to their offense during the draft. Two rounds after they secured their quarterback of the future, the 49ers selected Trey Sermon, a powerful running back from Ohio State who also spent time at Oklahoma. Sermon now joins an offense that has turned previously anonymous rushers into productive starters.
Fantasy football analysis: 49ers RB Trey Sermon
Despite his draft status, Sermon spent most of training camp and the preseason working with the backups, suggesting that head coach Kyle Shanahan doesn’t anticipate using the rookie extensively early in the season. Granted, that could quickly change, as Shanahan has pivoted off established starters early in the season when the situation warranted it. However, Sermon expects to begin 2021 behind starter Raheem Mostert.
Sermon should still see some action. The 49ers retained only three tailbacks on their initial 53-man roster, and only Mostert and JaMycal Hasty have taken snaps in the NFL. Sermon has the highest upside of any of those players, so it makes sense for Shanahan to work him into the rotation. Still, that process will probably take several weeks.
Fantasy start/sit recommendation
Sit Trey Sermon.