Anthony Dixon Signs with 49ers: What Does This Mean for Glen Coffee?

The San Francisco 49ers have reportedly signed rookie RB Anthony Dixon to a four-year contract. The monetary terms of the deal are undisclosed.

Dixon, the former Mississippi State standout, was drafted with the 173rd overall selection in the 2010 NFL Draft. During his four years there, he set numerous records and is currently the school’s career rushing leader with 3,994 yards on a 4.4 YPC average. Moreover, he’s only the seventh player in SEC history to be his team’s rushing leader for four seasons.

Heading into the draft, Dixon was considered one of the top pure-power backs along with Toby Gerhart and Charles Scott. Many draft experts projected him as a third to fourth round prospect, so it’s fair to say the 49ers got a bit of a steal in the sixth round.

Dixon will join a somewhat crowded backfield that includes two-time Pro Bowl RB Frank Gore, Glen Coffee, and situational back Michael Robinson.  

First, realize that the 49ers aren’t exactly a run-heavy team, despite their apparent desire to become one. The team only rushed the ball 23 times a game last season, most of which went to Gore. While I expect that number to drastically increase, there still may not be enough carries to distribute.

Luckily for Dixon, however, he may have a fair opportunity in training camp to establish himself as the No. 2 back on the depth chart.

Last year, the team drafted Coffee in the third round hoping he would be a complementary back to Gore. Unfortunately, their hopes quickly vanished as he proved to be extremely ineffective, averaging only 2.7 YPC. Even though it’s much too early to label him as a bust, it’s clear that the team doesn’t have much confidence in him.

In fact, I don’t think there is a specific need for Coffee’s services anymore. As a downhill runner, he and Gore have nearly identical styles of play. Since Dixon meets the criteria as their bruising type of back, the team’s only void is a versatile change-of-pace back which Coffee doesn’t possess the skill set to fill.

Furthermore, it’s been repeatedly noted that the team is interested in being a smash-mouth, physical unit, which is why the team decided to draft Dixon and even tried to sign LeGarrette Blount.

That said, in my mind, Coffee should feel a bit concerned about his job security, or, at the very least, his playing time. Of course, if you’re a 49ers fan, there’s no need to worry.

Dixon is an extremely gifted player and I’m confident that he will make a fluid transition to the pros and be a productive back for years to come.

As a firm believer that an effective rushing attack is an essential ingredient to success in the NFL, I’m hoping that, both, Coffee and Dixon can develop their immense potential into talent and join Gore to create a formidable three-headed rushing attack that would be strong enough to elevate the offense to the league’s elite.