San Francisco 49ers: 5 players who underachieved in 2019
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: Running Back Tevin Coleman
It was pretty easy to think the 49ers struck gold in 2019 NFL free agency by landing running back Tevin Coleman, who thrived under Kyle Shanahan when both were with the Atlanta Falcons in 2015 and 2016.
And for some various chunks of Coleman’s first year in San Francisco, it looked as that would be the case. Particularly Coleman’s four-touchdown effort against the Carolina Panthers in Week 8.
After that game, though, Coleman largely put forth a disappearing act during the second half of the season, never cresting more than 40 rush yards after Week 8 and registering just one touchdown after such an impressive performance against the Panthers.
In total, Coleman ended up being San Francisco’s third best rusher behind running backs Matt Breida and Raheem Mostert, finishing the regular season with 544 rush yards and 724 all-purpose yards, both of which ranked behind Coleman’s rushing mates.
While the rotational depth ultimately benefited Shanahan and the 49ers offense, Coleman’s relative lack of production does paint an uncertain future beyond this season. He’s signed through 2020, yes. But with zero in guarantees and dead money, also with nearly $5 million in cap savings if cut, it wouldn’t be shocking at all if the Niners part ways with Coleman at some point during the offseason.