San Francisco 49ers: Who is linebacker Brock Coyle?
By Peter Panacy
Niner Noise continues its annual “Who Is?” assessment on 2017 San Francisco 49ers players. In this installment, we take a look at linebacker Brock Coyle.
The San Francisco 49ers inked former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Brock Coyle to a one-year deal last March just before the NFL Draft.
It’s not a surprising move for general manager John Lynch and Co. San Francisco needed both defensive depth and special teams contributors. And Coyle can provide both.
Coyle, 26 years old, signed with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He managed to get into 15 games his rookie season, primarily on special teams, and registered nine tackles and four assists:
Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/19/2017.
San Francisco also made other additions at linebacker, including signing free agent Malcolm Smith and drafting Reuben Foster.
With these additions, as well as the incumbents, how does Coyle fit into the Niners plans in 2017?
Why He’ll Improve
Coyle doesn’t exactly project to be a starter at the NFL level. But it will be interesting to see how defensive coordinator Robert Saleh utilizes him in the 49ers defense this season.
Saleh is essentially copying what Seattle has done, defensively, over the past number of years. Coyle has the experience and, at the least, may serve as a bit of an educator for Saleh’s system for players not quite familiar with it.
Coyle’s 6-foot-1, 235-pound frame is ideally built for a middle linebacker spot. And this is where he likely falls on the depth chart.
If he wants to excel, Coyle will have to do it on special teams. There wouldn’t be any reason to put him on defense, barring injury.
Why He’ll Regress
One of the knocks on Coyle is his tackling which, combined with his short arms (32.5 inches) would spell trouble for any extended role outside of special teams.
Even this might be troublesome in 2017, as this group is going through its own overhaul.
Coyle is still the example setter though, so it’s hard to see him going through any sort of regression if limited to special teams play in the regular season.
What to Expect in 2017
Coyle should get some decent action on defense during the preseason, so it will be worth watching whether or not he can climb the depth chart here. His poor tackling may wind up being an issue against the run, so he may just be featured on obvious passing downs.
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But it isn’t as if Coyle offers up much in the pass rush either.
His best chance to make the 53-man roster this season would be on special teams. And it might be a wise move to have him present, given how the NIners defense will try to emulate what the Seahawks have done recently.
Next: Looking at the 49ers' new pass defense in 2017
Expect Coyle to be on the strong bubble entering training camp, largely citing his familiarity with Saleh’s defense as a reason why.