Last week’s rumors have come to fruition.
The 49ers are trading running back Jeff Wilson Jr. to the Miami Dolphins according to multiple reports. In return, San Francisco is acquiring a fifth-round draft pick.
Wilson, 26, will be reunited with head coach Mike McDaniel and running back Raheem Mostert. For the 49ers, Wilson became expendable after they traded for Christian McCaffrey, and had an incentive to replace some lost draft capital.
Without Wilson Jr., the 49ers have McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell, Ty Davis-Price and Jordan Mason in their running back room, with Deebo Samuel also as an option to line up in the backfield and Tevin Coleman on the practice squad.
One one hand, Wilson Jr. is a good back and could be worth more than a fifth-rounder. On the other, Wilson Jr. was essentially the 49ers’ third-stringer with everyone healthy, and San Francisco has a pretty good track record with fifth-round picks, see: George Kittle, Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga.
Wilson Jr. was signed as an undrafted player out of North Texas in 2018, and impressed in limited chances as a fill-in, scoring 19 touchdowns in just 15 starts as a member of the 49ers. He averaged 4.4 yards per carry during his time in San Francisco, and led the team in rushing in 2020 (600 yards) and this season (468).
Elijah Mitchell has been out since Week 1 with a sprained MCL, but this trade would indicate that he could be available after the bye week. Wilson Jr. also has fumbled twice this season and eight times as a member of the 49ers, which may have played into Kyle Shanahan playing Christian McCaffrey late in Sunday’s game despite a significant lead.
