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San Francisco 49ers: Thresholds for Success in 2016

By Trevor Irvine

Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers fullback Bruce Miller (49) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) try to recover a fumble in the end zone during the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers fullback Bruce Miller (49) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) try to recover a fumble in the end zone during the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 4, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) sacks Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) in the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Packers defeated the 49ers 17-3. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) sacks Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) in the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Packers defeated the 49ers 17-3. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

49ers defense must total 40-plus sacks in 2016

The Niners defense became anemic to the sack in 2015, managing a paltry 28 in total, which ranked fourth-last in the league.

Once again, from 2011-14 the defense was much better in this area:

  • 2011: 42 sacks
  • 2012: 38 sacks
  • 2013: 38 sacks
  • 2014: 36 sacks

The defense lost the most talent over the last two seasons, which played a huge part in the lack of pressure on the QB.

The defense became quite young and inexperienced at the same time. Former defensive coordinator Eric Mangini had a game plan to confuse offenses with a mix of different looks, however all his schemes did was confuse the Niners defenders.

With the return of strong safety Antoine Bethea, and hopefully the healthy returns of defensive tackles Glenn Dorsey and Ian Williams, the defense can rise up once again and start getting to the opposing QB regularly.

Out of the younger players, several of them have failed to live up to their draft position — namely Tank Carradine and Corey Lemonier. Eli Harold just went through his rookie season.

Getting to 40-plus sacks will take some work, and it will take big years from Aaron Lynch and Ahmad Brooks (who combined to lead the team last year with 6.5 sacks).

However, if Carradine becomes a force from his new outside linebacker role and Harold makes improvement, combined with the interior defenders including Arik Armstead and draft picks DeForest Buckner and Ronald Blair, this number suddenly doesn’t look as daunting to achieve.

Next: Torrey Smith must catch 10-plus TD passes in 2016