The San Francisco 49ers had high hopes for running back Trey Sermon.
After a productive college career with Oklahoma and Ohio State, the Niners took him in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
They wished that the Georgia native would translate his 2020 Second-Team Big Ten chops to the big league.
Unfortunately, things did not go according to plan.
He did not make much impact after being placed third in the depth chart behind Elijah Mitchell and Raheem Mostert.
Sermon had a nice performance when he got his first start in Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers.
He had 31 rushing yards and a touchdown to go with two catches for three yards.
His impact dwindled after that game, especially when he suffered an ankle injury in Week 12 versus the Minnesota Vikings.
Sermon finished his rookie season with 41 carries for 167 yards and a touchdown.
The Niners have seen enough to release him just before the 2022 NFL season.
Sadly, he is now included on an infamous list.
The Sacramento Bee’s Cameron Salerno shared the worst picks during the tenure of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch.
Sermon is on the list with Solomon Thomas, Reuben Foster, Dante Pettis, Joe Williams, and Jalen Hurd.
Lynch And Shanahan On The Hot Seat?
With the draft misses continuing, Lynch’s credibility is being put into question.
That list means his decision-making isn’t reliable.
Luckily for him and Shanahan, the team still made the NFC Championship Game.
That’s a short relief they can bask on to save their jobs.
But as the 2022 season approaches, Lynch and Shanahan should continue to find success even with Trey Lance behind center.
If he falters, his name will be added to Salerno’s list, and the two 49ers leaders might lose their jobs.
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