What Chance Does RB Ty Davis-Price Have to Make the 49ers' Roster?

Running back is the strongest it's ever been for the San Francisco 49ers under Kyle Shanahan.

To say the position is stacked would be an understatement. Christian McCaffrey leads the way as the All-Pro caliber starter, while former starter Elijah Mitchell who nearly rushed for 1,000 yards in 2021 handles the backup duties. That alone makes them one of the best one-two combinations at running back in the NFL, but it doesn't stop there. Jordan Mason is another solid running back that the 49ers can incorporate or to fill in if someone gets hurt. 

The top three running backs spot are settled, which means the 49ers are only going to spare one more spot there. Carrying more than four backs is an unwise move and one the 49ers haven't really done in the past. Former third-round pick Tyrion Davis-Price should have that fourth spot secured, but nothing is guaranteed. They proved that draft status with their running backs doesn't matter when they cut Trey Sermon last year. It feels like Davis-Price could follow the same path given he never found any way to be useful last season.

So, what chance does Davis-Price have to make the 49ers roster?

I'll give him a fair chance to make it. If I were to put a percentage on it, I'd say a 60 percent chance he makes the final roster. It's not so much that I believe he can be solid enough to win it, but because of who he has to beat out. Davis-Price has to beat out two undrafted free agents in Khalan Laborn (Marshall) and Ronald Awatt (UTEP). His chances look fairly well to beat them out, but who knows.

Sermon last year was beat out by an undrafted free agent that many people didn't know about in Mason. This is why I say Davis-Price could follow the same path as Sermon by being another third round running back who gets cut due to being outperformed by an undrafted free agent. However, this time around I think it is different. I think Kyle Shanahan will actually want to see it through another year with a third round running back. Of course, should Davis-Price be a notch below Laborn or Awatt, then there will be no remorse in cutting him.

He's going to have to show some great physicality when the pads come on and ensure he doesn't fumble the football. Not even once because that is what Shanahan loathes the most is players who fumble the football. Finding a special teams role can aid Davis-Price stay aboard as well. That is another way that Shanahan finds value in players, so you have to wonder if Davis-Price can prove useful there and not just as a fill in. 

49ers training camp kicks off on July 26, so the answer to this will be revealed soon.