San Francisco 49ers: Predicting Risers & Fallers in Chip Kelly’s Offense

Faller: Fullback Bruce Miller

Fullback Bruce Miller is one player who may not benefit much from the addition of Chip Kelly to the head coach position.

Despite being one of the better fullbacks in the NFL over the past few years, Miller’s use in Kelly’s system may not be of much service.

Here’s what Doug Williams of NBC Bay Area wrote about Miller’s new situation:

"When Chip Kelly was head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, the fullback was as extinct as the dodo bird in his offensive scheme. At both the University of Oregon and with the Eagles, Kelly employed the spread attack, with multiple wide receivers. According to reporter Matt Maiocco of Comcast Sportsnet, citing Pro Football Focus, the Eagles never employed a fullback in Kelly’s three seasons and aligned a tight end in the backfield for blocking only 66 times. On the Eagles roster, Kelly carried seven wide receivers and four tight ends, but no fullbacks. As Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee wrote this week, that could be bad news for 49ers fullback Bruce Miller. So, now that Kelly is head coach of the 49ers, what is Miller’s fate?"

Part of the explanation behind Kelly’s approach in Philadelphia may have been explained by the roster. With Miller not going anywhere in 2016, it’s feasible Kelly designs some packages to utilize Miller’s strengths.

But at the outset, signs don’t point to Miller being a focal point of the offense.

Next: Riser: Torrey Smith