Cody Schrader Is At It Again!

Im a 49er fan and I really really want Cody to make the team. Its clear that if he fails it wont be from a lack of hard work.

UDFA RB Cody Schrader is the 49ers' Top Rookie in Training Camp

He's a perfect in the 49ers outside zone blocking scheme. Look for him to have a monster preseason and make the 53-man roster.

Grant Cohn LINK

Through the first week of training camp, the 49ers rookie class has been decidedly underwhelming with the exception of undrafted free agent running back Cody Schrader.

He has been the most consistent rookie on the team. He makes big plays as a runner and as a receiver every day. He seems like a veteran, not a rookie.

Compare him to the 49ers' draft picks. Ricky Pearsall missed the first four practices with a hamstring injury and hasn't asserted himself yet. Renardo Green is solid but hasn't made any big plays. Dominick Puni is starting at right guard by default because Spencer Burford and Jon Feliciano are injured but probably won't start when Feliciano returns. Malik Mustapha has made a couple nice plays in coverage. Isaac Guerendo and Jacob Cowing both are out with hamstring injuries. Jarrett Kingston is playing out of position at right tackle and getting whipped. And Tatum Bethune looks like he's at least a year away from contributing at linebacker.

And then there's Schrader, who looks like he could play running back for the 49ers Week 1 if they need him to. He has huge, powerful legs. He's 5'8", so he has a low center of gravity. He has excellent vision. He's decisive and he's a downhill runner. He doesn't dance in the backfield or constantly bounce runs to the outside. He makes one cut and goes. That's a big reason he rushed for 1,627 yards and 14 touchdowns in just 13 games last year at Missouri.

Which means he's a perfect in the 49ers outside zone blocking scheme. Look for him to have a monster preseason and make the 53-man roster.

49ers Might've Found Another Undrafted RB Gem

Jose Luis Sanchez III LINK

Another player on the San Francisco 49ers is pushing their stock higher.

That player is undrafted free agent running back Cody Schrader. There is almost always a guarantee that whenever the 49ers bring an undrafted running back into training camp that they end up finding a gem. Schrader could very well end up as that gem given how solid he's reportedly looked.

“I think Cody is doing a good job," said Kyle Shanahan. "He’s gotten a number of reps, especially having an injury with Isaac [Guerendo], taking care of Christian [McCaffrey] every few days. He has taken advantage of his opportunities. Really liked him coming out of college and he's getting be better each day.”

Schrader has to continue to capitalize on these opportunities. He doesn't have that much equity that can coerce the 49ers into retaining him. All it takes is a couple of bad practices for Shanahan to start to be down on him.

It took an injury to Guerendo for him to get this chance and be noticed, so he needs to keep his foot floored on the gas pedal. Should he end up sustaining his solid performances in training camp, then the next step will be to take it into the preseason games.

If he does that, then there is a real shot he makes the team. The running back room is already crowded with Christian McCaffrey, Jordan Mason, and Elijah Mitchell guaranteed a spot. That means only one more running back will get it. Guerendo was expected to make it, but his hamstring injury can see him placed on the shelf and leaving a spot open.

That spot can be Schrader's to have. Schrader is a perfect example for why the 49ers should never draft a running back early. All of their drafted running backs who went in the first four rounds have never panned out, while their late round or undrafted running backs have found success.

It's trending towards being that case again with how Schrader is looking with Guerendo on the mend.

I don't like that he has to steal Guerendo's spot to make the team. Guerendo is a big kid that ran 4.33 in the 40. They both do a really good job in pass protection and catching the ball out of the backfield. Schrader has better vision and balance. Guerendo has size and NFL speed. That's a tough choice.

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I don't like that he has to steal Guerendo's spot to make the team. Guerendo is a big kid that ran 4.33 in the 40. They both do a really good job in pass protection and catching the ball out of the backfield. Schrader has better vision and balance. Guerendo has size and NFL speed. That's a tough choice.

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If Cody flashes in the pre-season it wouldn't surprise me at all if they find a way to either IR Guerendo or trade one of the two veterans ahead of him (Mitchell or Mason).

Guerendo has Shanahan bust written all over him: straightline runner, can't stay healthy, etc. who Shanahan fell in love with the idea of what he thinks he can do with him. Mitchell is in his last year of his contract and Cody has the bell cow back ability to fill in for McCaffery is he's seriously injured. If they let Schrader out of the building they'll end up regretting it.

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Happy for the kid. He did nothing but work hard to get where he is. Football needs more men like him

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All
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Guerendo gets a longer leash because he came to Wisconsin as a WR and converted to RB. Scouts say he didn't truly look comfortable as a RB until the last half of the season at Louisville last year. So combining that knowledge with his physical gifts, he is seen as a high ceiling player.

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Take this for what it's worth, but the 49ers have a shite ton on new media / YouTube guys and some of them are good at reading the tea leaves. Listen to this fellla's comments after today's practice. He mentions Schrader then goes on to talk about their injured players.

Hang with it because he goes on to explain Guerrendo's situation. This should be time stamped to the right spot.

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You know what's gonna happen, Guerendo will go on IR, Schrader makes the 53, McCaffery gets a high ankle sprain week 1, and Cody will lead the NFC in rushing.

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Would be awesome