49ers Predicted to Land ‘Violent’ RB to Replace Christian McCaffrey.
There are plenty of concerns about the construction of the 49ers offense that have come to the surface in recent weeks, most notably when it comes to the presence of stars Bradnon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel in the wide receivers’ room. But the 49ers will, in short order, have to give a new contract to quarterback Brock Purdy, which will be an especially interesting negotiation that could reveal whether the team thinks Purdy’s success is a product of his talent or the team’s system.
But there is a looming issue on the horizon, too, and it is a horizon that is nearer than you might think. Star running back Christian McCaffrey turns 28 next month and, typically, it’s around age 28 that running backs see their careers begin to take downturns, sometimes precipitous. McCaffrey could be due for a drop-off, if not in 2024, then not far beyond.
With that in mind, CBS Sports has an interesting name linked to the 49ers in a very early 2025 NFL mock Draft: Ohio State star Quinshon Judkins.
Quinshon Judkins Runs WIih ‘Violence’
College football fans know that Judkins is already one of the top running backs in the sport, with two stellar seasons at Ole Miss under his belt. He ran for 1,567 yards as a freshman, and came back with 1,158 yards as a sophomore. He tallied 34 touchdowns in two years, 31 of which came as a rusher.
Making the switch to the Buckeyes should only increase Judkins’ profile.
As CBS’ Chris Trapasso wrote: “The 49ers offense is centered around Christian McCaffrey, but Judkins could help take some off the veteran running back’s plate as he nears his 30th birthday over the next few seasons. Judkins is super explosive and tough to bring down with sudden changing directions.”
At the NFL draft scouting site NFL Draft Buzz, Judkins’ was described as a “violent” runner and a good blocker, among his strengths. Its report read:
“Difficult to bring down one-on-one in space, regularly sidesteps would-be tacklers and uses offhand to use oncoming defenders’ momentum against them without slowing down significantly. He’s equally dangerous in catch-and-run situations as he is taking the top off a defense
