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What Role Will Isaac Guerendo Have on the 49ers in 2024?

It's going to be nearly impossible for Isaac Guerendo to see the field on offense for the 49ers in his rookie season.
Jose Sanchez|
May 10, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo (49) runs drills during the 49ers rookie minicamp at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. Mandatory Credit: Robert Kupbens-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo (49) runs drills during the 49ers rookie minicamp at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. Mandatory Credit: Robert Kupbens-USA TODAY Sports | Robert Kupbens-USA TODAY Sports

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San Francisco 49ers

One of the more, if not the most, head scratching draft picks the San Francisco 49ers made this year was their selection of running back Isaac Guerendo.

It isn't because Guerendo is a bad player, but the 49ers have shown to be failures when it comes to taking running backs relatively early. And yes, a running back, especially one they traded up for, in the fourth round is pretty early for a team that doesn't need it. What's done is done.

Guerendo will be with the 49ers for a while now and will look to make some contributions in his rookie season. But what exactly will his role be on the 49ers in 2024? He's certainly not going to see the field on offense. That is nearly impossible with Christian McCaffrey as the starter, Elijah Mitchell as the favored backup, and even getting ahead of Jordan Mason.

Unless Guerendo somehow impresses Kyle Shanahan to an insane magnitude, then I don't see any offensive snaps for him this year. Not even working out with 49ers legend Frank Gore will aid him, so his best and only chance is on special teams, specifically as a kick returner.

With the new structure and rules on kick offs, kick returners have increased in value. It is important to get someone who is lethal with the ball in their hands as opposed to just throwing anyone back there.

Guerendo has a chance to show that in training camp and in the preseason. I'm sure the 49ers are going to use all of those opportunities to see who is best suited for that role, especially since they have no idea how it'll look in live action yet. No team does.

Carving out a role on special teams and earning the job as a returner will be the most responsibilities Guerendo can have in 2024.

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Jose Luis Sanchez III
JOSE SANCHEZ

Jose Luis Sanchez III has covered the San Francisco 49ers daily for FanNation since 2019. He started off as the lead publisher for FanNation's All49ers, then switched positions to become the Deputy Editor in 2020. Sanchez writes, edits, and produces videos daily for All49ers. He also co-hosts a show on YouTube with All49ers lead publisher Grant Cohn weekly. Prior to FanNation, Sanchez started his writing career back in 2016 for the school newspaper at Skyline college where he covered all sports team in the Bay Area. Following that from 2017 to 2019, he found a role as a contributor for FanSided's news desk along with their site's Just Blog Baby covering the Las Vegas Raiders and Golden Gate Sports every professional Bay Area sports team. Atop all of that, he was able to graduate with a Bachelors degree in Communication Studies at San Francisco State University in 2020. Sanchez is committed to ensuring he delivers transparent analysis and straightforward opinions that resonates with readers to get them thinking.

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