With the 173rd pick, the San Francisco 49ers selected running back Anthony Dixon from Mississippi State. He was the 66th player Drew K reviewed in his 100 in 100. Drew said this:
As mentioned above, I think that Dixon will be drafted primarily as a back up. I don't believe he has the tangibles to be a feature back which leads me to think that he will be a mid round pick. He was only a top-performer in one event at the combine in the broad jump where he leaped 10'1".
Here's the "final word" from Mocking the Draft's Scouting Report:
Final word: Dixon has the makings of being a good power back in a two-back scheme. He just doesn't have the playmaking ability to be a true No. 1 running back. Still, he was very productive on a team where he was really the only weapon. He had eight games of more than 100 yards rushing in 2009 and is good in the red zone.
Some have questioned Dixon's character a little bit because he's never been in the best shape. He was also charged with suspicion of driving under the influence and not having proof of insurance last year. Still, he shows heart as a runner. He's constantly on the move and keeps his legs pumping while getting tackled. He's also played through some small injuries including a broken finger.
Rest of the MTD scouting report after the jump.
6'0, 233 pounds | Running back | Mississippi State
Acceleration: Displays a good straight ahead burst to hit the hole. Gets up to top speed in an instant. Runs with a lot of force.
Ball protection: No knowledge of any issues carrying the ball. Carries the ball high and tight. Has the arm strength to hold on while working between the tackles.
Elusiveness: Dixon has quick feet, which he uses to work his way through traffic nicely. But he needs to do a better job of eluding tacklers. He may not have the elusiveness to do that and has a hard time turning his hips and moving upfield.
Pass catching: Was an asset in this area of Mississippi State's offense. He'll never be a No. 1 or No. 2 target in the pass game, but he showed he can get open and a catch when asked. Caught 56 career passes for 449 yards and four touchdowns.
Pass blocking: For as big as Dixon is, you'd expect him to be a much better blocker. However, he too often is late to react to a pass rusher and could be described as an el matador blocker.
Power: Dixon is one of the strongest running backs in this year's draft, if not the strongest. Once he gets a head of steam, watch out. He breaks arm tackles with ease and is a load to take down. Runs with a lot of heart and always keeps his legs pumping after contact. Loves to initiate contact.
Size: Has a good combination of height and bulk. Dixon is especially strong in his upper body. He may need to get a bit leaner and build his leg strength more, though. Should he do that, he could fix some speed issues. Has reportedly had issues with training.
Speed: This is what knocks Dixon back the most. His speed is average and he doesn't have a second gear in the open field. He does get up to his top speed quickly, however. But he can often be caught from behind.
Vision: Shows patience as a runner and lets a block develop before working upfield. Finds creases pretty well and can dart through them. Keeps a good lean when he's running and always seems to be falling forward.
Final word: Dixon has the makings of being a good power back in a two-back scheme. He just doesn't have the playmaking ability to be a true No. 1 running back. Still, he was very productive on a team where he was really the only weapon. He had eight games of more than 100 yards rushing in 2009 and is good in the red zone.
Some have questioned Dixon's character a little bit because he's never been in the best shape. He was also charged with suspicion of driving under the influence and not having proof of insurance last year.
Still, he shows heart as a runner. He's constantly on the move and keeps his legs pumping while getting tackled. He's also played through some small injuries including a broken finger.
Niners Nation Big Board 1. Eric Berry, S, Tennessee - Kansas City Chiefs - #5
2. Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State - Seattle Seahawks - #6
3. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska - Detroit Lions - #2
4. C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson - Buffalo Bills - #9
5. Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa - Green Bay Packers - #23
6. Joe Haden, CB, Florida - Cleveland Browns - #7
7. Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - #3
8. Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho - San Francisco 49ers - #17
9. Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma - Washington Redskins - #4
10. Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers - San Francisco 49ers - #11
11. Earl Thomas, S, Texas - Seattle Seahawks - #14
12. Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma - St. Louis Rams - #1
13. Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama - Oakland Raiders - #8
14. Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State - New York Jets - #29
15. Taylor Mays, S, USC - San Francisco 49ers - #49
16. Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State - Dallas Cowboys - #24
17. Brandon Graham, OLB, Michigan - Philadelphia Eagles - #13
18. Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland - Oakland Raiders - #106
19. Charles Brown, OT, USC - New Orleans Saints - #64
20. Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame - Carolina Panthers - #48
21. Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Texas - Baltimore Ravens - #43
22. Jahvid Best, RB, California - Detroit Lions - #30
23. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida - New York Giants - #15
24. Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech - Tennessee Titans - #16
25. Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee - Arizona Cardinals - #26
26. Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama - Baltimore Ravens - #57
27. Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers - New England Patriots - #27
28. Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame - Seattle Seahawks - #60
29. Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida - Pittsburgh Steelers - #18
30. Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State - San Diego Chargers - #12
31. Nate Allen, S, South Florida - Philadelphia Eagles - #37
32. Roger Saffold, OT, Indiana - St. Louis Rams - #33
33. Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida St. - New Orleans - #32
34. Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida - New England Patriots - #62
35. Vladimir Ducasse, OG, Massachusetts - New York Jets - #61
36. Jared Odrick, OT, Penn St. - Miami Dolphins - #27
37. Carlos Dunlap, DE/OLB, Florida St. - Cincinnati Bengals - #54
38. Dexter McCluster, RB, Mississippi - Kansas City Chiefs - #36
39. Jerry Hughes, OLB, TCU - Indianapolis Colts - #31
40. Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri - Atlanta Falcons - #19
41. Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford - Minnesota Vikings - #51
42. Everson Griffen, DE, USC - Minnesota Vikings - #100
43. Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati - St. Louis Rams - #99
44. Jared Veldheer, OT, Hillsdale - Oakland Raiders - #69
45. Brian Price, DT, UCLA - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - #38
46. Jon Asamoah, OG, Illinois - Kansas City Chiefs - #68
47. Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech - Denver Broncos - #22
48. Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama - Houston Texans - #20
49. Colt McCoy, QB, Texas - Cleveland Browns - #85
50. Chad Jones, S, LSU - New York Giants - #76
51. Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - #39
52. Koa Misi, DE/OLB, Utah - Miami Dolphins - #40
53. Morgan Burnett, S, Georgia Tech - Green Bay Packers - #71
54. Tyson Alualu, DT, California - Jacksonville Jaguars - #10
55. Chris Cook, CB, Virginia - Minnesota Vikings - #34
56. John Jerry, OG, Mississippi - MIami Dolphins - #73
57. Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma - Cincinnati Bengals - #21
58. Brandon Ghee, CB, Wake Forest - Cincinnati Bengals - #96
59. Daryl Washington, OLB, TCU - Arizona Cardinals - #47
60. Joe McKnight, RB, USC - New York Jets - #112
61. Javier Arenas, CB, Alabama - Kansas City Chiefs - #50
62. Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech
63. Mike Johnson, OG, Alabama - Atlanta Falcons - #98
64. Damian Williams, WR, USC - Tennessee Titans - #77
65. Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas - Cincinnati Bengals - #84
66. Perrish Cox, CB, Oklahoma State - Denver Broncos - #137
67. Jacoby Ford, WR, Clemson - Oakland Raiders - #108
68. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida - Denver Broncos - #25
69. Navarro Bowman, OLB, Penn State - San Francisco 49ers - #91
70. Sean Lee, ILB, Penn State - Dallas Cowboys - #55
71. Reshad Jones, S, Georgia
72. Ricky Sapp, DE, Clemson - Philadelphia Eagles - #134
73. Ciron Black, OT, LSU
74. Dominique Franks, CB, Oklahoma - Atlanta Falcons - #135
75. Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU - Carolina Panthers - #78
76. Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, CB, Indiana (PA) - Dallas Cowboys - #126
77. Selvish Capers, OT, West Virginia
78. Kyle Calloway, OT, Iowa
79. Eric Norwood, OLB, South Carolina - Carolina Panthers - #124
80. Corey Wooton, DE, Northwestern - Chicago Bears - #109
81. Mitch Petrus, OG, Arkansas - New York Giants - #147
82. Dan LeFevour, QB, Central Michigan
83. Cam Thomas, DT, North Carolina - San Diego Chargers - #146
84. Lamarr Houston, DT, Texas - Oakland Raiders - #44
85. Tony Pike, QB, Cincinnati
86. T.J. Ward, S, Oregon - Cleveland Browns - #38
87. Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona - New England Patriots - #42
88. Ben Tate, RB, Auburn - Houston Texans - #58
89. Greg Hardy, DE, Mississippi
90. Amari Spievey, CB, Iowa - Detroit Lions - #66
91. Matt Tennant, G, Boston College - New Orleans Saints - #158
92. Taylor Price, WR, Ohio - New England Patriots - #90
93. Thaddeus Gibson, LB, Ohio State - Pittsburgh Steelers - #116
94. Eric Decker, WR, Minnesota - Denver Broncos - #87
95. Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee - Cleveland Browns - #59
96. Alex Carrington, DE, Arkansas State - Buffalo Bills - #72
97. Torrell Troup, DT, Central Michigan - Buffalo Bills - #41
98. Jamar Chaney, LB, Mississippi State
99. Marshall Newhouse, G, TCU - Green Bay Packers - #169
100. Jeremy Williams, WR, Tulane