2020 NFL Combine: 5 players who improved 49ers draft stock
By Peter Panacy
player. 826. . Running Back. Eagles . A.J. Dillon. 4
On the surface, Boston College running back A.J. Dillon doesn’t look like a fit in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
The 6-foot-0, 247-pound tailback projects to be much more of a power runner than a seamless fit in Shanahan’s outside-zone blocking scheme, and the 49ers don’t exactly look to be in need of yet another running back to their crop of tailbacks.
But Tevin Coleman and/or Jerick McKinnon could be cap casualties this offseason, Matt Breida appeared to fall out of favor late last season, leaving Raheem Mostert as essentially the only clear-cut option for 2020.
Plus, Dillon offers size and strength, which isn’t the top trait the other runners listed have.
Dillon answered questions about his straight-line speed, too, posting a solid 4.53 40-yard time during his NFL Combine workouts, adding an impressive 23 bench-press reps of 225 pounds. And he’s someone capable of increasing his yardage if he is able to get into space.
It’s still likely Dillon winds up being a day-three pick. Yet Shanahan has a knack for identifying and developing late-round talent, perhaps putting Dillon on San Francisco’s radar.