Is Tevin Coleman a Solid RB2 for Fantasy in 2019?

Will Tevin Coleman be a Solid RB2 in 2019?

Despite having what appears to be a crowded backfield in San Francisco, newly acquired running back Tevin Coleman looks to have the best chances to lead the charge.

In 2018, the 49ers went through a slew of running backs as they kept catching the ever contagious injury bug. First Jerick McKinnon went down in the 2018 preseason with a year-ending ACL injury. Matt Breida had to step in, but he too dealt with some injuries of his own. The 49ers even turned to Raheem Mostert who ended up fracturing his arm during Week 9. Finally, Jeff Wilson got some action towards the end of the year and managed to remain healthy.

As you can see, the 49ers had to dig deep into their running back depth chart continuously throughout the regular season in 2018. While the 49ers were able to put up some fairly decent numbers in spite of all the injuries that had befallen them (118.9 yds/gm – 13th), they still felt the need to go out and acquire a new face to their injury-prone backfield.

Earlier this offseason, San Francisco had signed free agent Tevin Coleman from the Atlanta Falcons to a two-year $10 million deal. With the addition of Coleman, the 49ers have a backfield loaded with some interesting talent.

Of the five most prominent running backs on San Francisco’s roster, Coleman appears to have the best shot to be an immediate fantasy asset to managers in 2019.

Jerick McKinnon has just recently suffered yet another setback to his ACL recovery process this offseason. On top of that, while Breida, Mostert, and Wilson are all solid backs, Coleman is at a different level from all of them.

Tevin Coleman finished the 2018 regular season as RB18 averaging about 12.1 points per game. While that does not seem very impressive, keep in mind that Atlanta’s OC was Steve Sarkesian who wasn’t the same as Kyle Shanahan.

Where fantasy managers can find the confidence that Coleman will blossom this season is the fact that he and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan have worked together before during their time in Atlanta.

From 2015-2016 which was when Shanahan was the team’s OC, the Falcons had a highly prolific offense that very few defenses had success suppressing. Specifically, in 2016, Coleman scored the most touchdowns in a single season for his career at eight.

Furthermore, he finished that year tied for RB16 with Lamar Miller in PPR formats while averaging 14.7 fantasy points per game. Although this does not seem like a much better finish to last season, we must also remember that in 2016 Devonta Freeman was the primary back for the Falcons run game. Last season Freeman was hurt, but Coleman failed to take advantage of the opportunity due to the new OC coaching system.

Coleman and Shanahan have a rapport with one another and if he was able to produce those kinds of numbers as an RB2 in that system, then his chances of having a higher level of production as the 49ers main running back are looking fairly good.

Another factor that is working in Coleman’s favor is the number of red zone opportunities he will be getting this upcoming year. Last year, the 49ers backfield had the ninth-most red zone rushing attempts in the NFL.

Expect to see Coleman’s disappointing red zone rushing attempts average from last season (1.8/game) to increase significantly.

The 49ers have a lot of young unproven talent at wide receiver, so once the offense gets to within 20 yards of the goal line, they will more likely than not run it with Coleman.

Some additional stats worth noting about Coleman from 2018 are, he ranked 18th in yards per touch (5.4 yards/game). He also had the seventh most breakaway runs among active running backs as well with 13. Lastly, he was 12th in yards created per carry during 2018 too.

The ability for him to break away from defenders and create separation while carrying the rock is extremely critical for any running back. Without getting separation it is going to be very hard for a running back to gain much after his initial rushing attempt. Coleman is skilled enough to get that separation from defenders giving him some additional upside to his fantasy value heading into 2019.

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With Jerick McKinnon continuing to battle his ever-nagging knee injury, Tevin Coleman has a legitimate chance to be an effective RB in all fantasy formats this year.

He is currently being drafted roughly around the fifth round in many drafts this year as RB26. At the moment he is a solid flex option with strong RB2 upside. If he gels with head coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers coaching staff’s game plan, his value will increase considerably.

I strongly suggest selecting Coleman in his rightful target ADP spot as he can be a potential league-winner if things fall right. Of course, circumstances can always change on a dime, but as it looks right now, Coleman is the favorite to be the lead back.

Do not hesitate to take a chance on Coleman. He will be the number one running back, and he is now reunited with his old offensive coordinator from his days in Atlanta.

It’s always fun to find that one player that can get your team over the top in fantasy. Tevin Coleman just might be that guy for the 2019 regular season. Best of luck in your drafts if you haven’t done so already!

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