Dres Anderson: A Name to Remember

By Phillip Benson | May 30, 2015

The NFL Draft has long passed, and the end of May is quickly approaching. 2015 brings a new role for Jim Tomsula, as he is entering his first OTA’s and rookie mini camp as a head coach. As a former defensive line coach for the San Francisco 49ers, Tomsula is now the man in charge and has a say in who he wants playing for his ball club.

It all starts with the OTA’s and rookie mini camp to shape the 53-man roster, and one name Tomsula may want to consider this summer is Dres Anderson.

Many may not understand the bloodline that Anderson possesses. He is the son of former NFL wide receiver Flipper Anderson. He is the gentleman who set the NFL record for most receiving yards in a single game. Does that solidify and justify Anderson’s reasoning for joining the 49ers? Absolutely not, but it does show he was born to play football.

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Anderson was a three-star recruit out of southern California, and signed a letter of intent to the play for the Utah Utes. Not many teams stumbled across Anderson as the West was primarily interested. The Oregon Ducks and UCLA Bruins displayed some interest in the 6’1″ 170-plus pound receiver, but it wasn’t enough to lure him away from Utah.

Working hard, Anderson turned into one of the best receivers in the Pac-12 conference during his sophomore and junior season, but an MCL tear ended a senior season to capitalize and stamp his name as legitimate draft prospect.

As a result, being projected to still at least be called in the draft, Anderson saw his name not pronounced and landing into the undrafted free agent pool.

The certainty of the knee seemed to be an important factor in the way Anderson slid in the draft. As a result, this is fuel for the fire, as he is going out to Santa Clara and already turning heads with his knee 100 percent.

Oct 26, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Utes wide receiver Dres Anderson (6) tries to run past a flying tackle by USC Trojans safety

Leon McQuay

III (22) during second quarter action at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

At Utah, Anderson had quick speed, but nothing to separate himself as a deep threat. When the ball landed in his hands after the catch, that is what specializes his game and provided his production.

The change of pace and agility of Anderson broke down many defenses and helped him stretch plays. With limited meat on his body, Anderson has to rely on his agility and cuts to get open, and he consistently showed that in the four years he played in the Pac-12.

Judge Anderson’s production if one would like. It is not fair though to assess his personal contribution to the mediocrity and injuries to his quarterbacks, and the yearly changes at offensive coordinators. Certain systems didn’t fit, but Anderson learned to adapt.

Utah is most recently known for the infamous fumble at the one-yard line against the Ducks, but they are also known for Steve Smith and Alex Smith, who have gone on to have successful NFL careers. Some even potentially Hall of Fame worthy, in regards to Smith, the receiver.

Anderson could be the next Utah player to make a name for himself, as he is a fit for the 49ers.

Taking a look at 2014, the team had a poor diversity of wide receivers on the team. Bruce Ellington and Quinton Patton were two wide receivers who were to help the team in the change of pace. With questionable decisions by the offense, both receivers failed to see much time during the season. As injuries hit them both as well.

Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree were supposed to be the saviors in boosting the wide receiver group. Crabtree was expected to have a breakout year and take it to the next level. That did not happen.

During this offseason, the 49ers clearly identified that issue that hindered their 2014, on top of an array of injuries. General manager Trent Baalke and the organization went out and brought in some new targets. Torrey Smith, Jerome Simpson, and Reggie Bush were brought in to diversify the receiving core. Colin Kaepernick now has a couple deep threats, a possession threat, and improvement towards the short passing game.

Where does Anderson fit in?

It is simple, he will benefit as a return man.

The receiving corps is now beefed up after opening up the money bags this offseason and spending. Ellington and Patton still have a chance to shine and they will have to prove they want it. If it goes wrong, Anderson has his shot to shine and will be knocking on the door, and creating another excellent, undrafted free agent story.

Realistically, a bulk of playing time for Anderson would come from the special teams and return game. With the burst and agility in space, Anderson creates opportunity with his play-making and gains ground to place the offense in good field position.

Inconsistency with the return game plagued the 49ers’ field positions in 2014. Time after time, LaMichael James and Ellington proved they were not cut for the kickoff return. Kendall Hunter went down with a torn ACL and caused the 49ers to look to replace his production. With a healthy Hunter returning, the newly-acquired Bush and Anderson should create a competition to boost the special teams in 2015.

The return game has not been electric since the Ted Ginn Jr. and Kyle Williams days, but Anderson can certainly keep his name in the running and beat out some of the veterans.

One aspect of Anderson’s game that he must work on is ball security and hand-eye coordination. If 2013 was a concern about Kelvin Benjamin, Anderson has him beat in the dropped ball department. As a returner and as an underweight wide receiver, he must be able to take a hit and hold on to the ball. The benefits can be reaped with the vision and moves Anderson already demonstrates, but he has to command the ball and hang on to it.

With a big time wide receiver father, surely, we could expect Anderson to follow in his footsteps. Being undrafted is already a feeling that is going to drive and push Anderson to prove the other teams on why they shouldn’t have passed on him.

Now fully healed, if the cards play out right, Anderson could be a sneaky pick up, and another addition to the Anderson NFL family tree.

Next: A Way Too Early Prediction of the 49ers' 53-Man Roster

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