NFL49 min ago2 minute read

49ers Find Run Game Balance with McCaffrey and Rookie Kaelon Black

Rookie Kaelon Black and Christian McCaffrey shared the workload to help the 49ers rebuild their running game.

The EagleEyeOdds deskWritten from the match data, checked against our model before it goes out

The Ground Attack Returns

The San Francisco 49ers got back to doing what they do best in their 27-7 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne. After a disappointing 2025 season on the ground, San Francisco ran the ball 30 times and averaged 5.8 yards per rush.

Center Jake Brendel felt the momentum shifting during an 86 yard scoring drive in the second quarter. Rookie running back Kaelon Black had just gained nine and five yards. Brendel looked at coach Kyle Shanahan and signaled to keep running. The team did just that.

A New Partner for McCaffrey

Since trading for Christian McCaffrey in 2022, the team has wanted a reliable second option. In this game, they found one in Black. The 24 year old rookie actually had more carries than McCaffrey, with 14 runs compared to McCaffrey's 10.

It was the first time since the 2022 playoffs that another player had more rushing attempts than McCaffrey in a game he started and finished. McCaffrey dealt with some cramps, and Black was returning from an adductor injury. Still, both players finished with exactly 15 touches. McCaffrey had 88 total yards, while Black finished with 70. McCaffrey called the rookie "a force" who will help the team a lot.

Creative Schemes and New Looks

The 49ers showed off a creative rushing attack under new run game coordinator Joe Graves. They used motion on 59 percent of their offensive plays, which is the highest rate under Shanahan. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk helped block on these plays. The team averaged 6.3 yards per run when using motion.

The Rams also surprised San Francisco by playing more four man fronts and nickel packages instead of five man fronts. The 49ers adjusted quickly. They averaged 6.6 yards per run against four or fewer defenders on the line. Right tackle Colton McKivitz noted that starting with these rushing numbers against a rival shows the team is moving in the right direction.

What it means for the next game

Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers (NFL, Sun, 20 Sep): San Francisco 49ers win 87%, Miami Dolphins win 13%; projected score San Francisco 49ers 28, Miami Dolphins 16. Our safest pick: Under 52.5 points.