Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers 2019 free agency tracker: Live updates, news and reports

By Chris Wilson

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 18: Tevin Coleman #26 of the Atlanta Falcons runs the ball against Jaquiski Tartt #29 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at the Georgia Dome on December 18, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 18: Tevin Coleman #26 of the Atlanta Falcons runs the ball against Jaquiski Tartt #29 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at the Georgia Dome on December 18, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 18: Tevin Coleman #26 of the Atlanta Falcons runs the ball against Jaquiski Tartt #29 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at the Georgia Dome on December 18, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 18: Tevin Coleman #26 of the Atlanta Falcons runs the ball against Jaquiski Tartt #29 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at the Georgia Dome on December 18, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Running back Tevin Coleman

It might not have been seen as much of a need, particularly with running backs Jerick McKinnon and Matt Breida in the fray for 2019.

But according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Niners are bringing aboard Tevin Coleman on a two-year, $10 million deal:

Coleman, 25 years old, spent his first two years at the pro level working under Kyle Shanahan when he was the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive coordinator. The 6-foot-1, 210 pounder was a split-time back alongside the Falcons’ No. 1 option, Devonta Freeman, often acting as a reliable pass-catching weapon in Shanahan’s offense.

Tevin Coleman Rushing & Receiving Table
Game Game Rush Rush Rush Rush Rush Rush Rece Rece Rece Rece Rece Rece
Year Age Tm No. G GS Rush Yds TD Lng Y/A Y/G Tgt Rec Yds Y/R TD Ctch% Fmb
2015 22 ATL 26 12 3 87 392 1 46 4.5 32.7 11 2 14 7.0 0 18.2% 3
2016 23 ATL 26 13 0 118 520 8 55 4.4 40.0 40 31 421 13.6 3 77.5% 1
2017 24 ATL 26 15 3 156 628 5 52 4.0 41.9 39 27 299 11.1 3 69.2% 1
2018 25 ATL 26 16 14 167 800 4 65 4.8 50.0 44 32 276 8.6 5 72.7% 2
Care Care 56 20 528 2340 18 65 4.4 41.8 134 92 1010 11.0 11 7

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/13/2019.

It’s not hard to see why Shanahan would want to target Coleman, given the success he had in the system.

However, what the move means for McKinnon and/or Breida isn’t quite clear. McKinnon, who suffered a torn ACL at the tail end of the 2018 preseason, might not be able to go or viewed as being 100 percent in time for training camp. If the 49ers intend on keeping all three, it likely means last year’s No. 3 tailback, Raheem Mostert, is in serious danger of losing a roster spot. That alone would cut into San Francisco’s special teams abilities.

But this, from ESPN’s Dan Graziano, possibly explains a lot. McKinnon has zero left in guaranteed money on his four-year deal signed a year ago.

The 49ers haven’t been shy about letting go of players they like after they pick up someone they like more. Case in point, what the Niners did with former center Daniel Kilgore after acquiring Weston Richburg in NFL free agency a year ago.

Whether or not McKinnon or Breida falls into that category is something fans will probably learn in coming weeks or months.