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San Francisco 49ers: Positional Progress Report for First Quarter of 2016

By Peter Panacy

October 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly watches against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly watches against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) is defended by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) during a NFL game at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) is defended by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) during a NFL game at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Line

San Francisco’s defensive line was supposed to be one of the few areas of strength entering 2016.

Part of it is, although it’s a unit which took a hit when rookie defensive end DeForest Buckner suffered a leg injury in the 49ers’ 24-17 Week 4 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (99) warms up prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (99) warms up prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

Buckner was having the best pro game of his career up to that point. He and second-year pro Arik Armstead have also struggled against the run this season. But they still have been able to display pocket-wrecking potential.

This might explain why the 49ers have allowed just 998 yards through the air.

Up to Par

Defensive tackle Quinton Dial’s run defense has been good enough on the season. With nose tackle Ian Williams out for the year, Dial and fellow NT Mike Purcell need to be impact players in this area.

Dial has been. Purcell not so much.

Buckner is still on an upward trajectory. We can see this here:

The only hope is his leg injury won’t be serious. Armstead’s shoulder injury is another thing to watch too. If both are healthy, the Niners have a D-line group set for years to come.

Needing Improvement

As was the case with San Francisco’s linebackers, the D-line’s efforts against the run are less than stellar.

Stopping ball-carriers at the point of attack will be a necessity for a Niners defense lacking linebacker depth. Plugging gaps and proper tackling techniques haven’t been the best for San Francisco’s defensive front either.

How come rookie lineman Ronald Blair has only seen 36 snaps?

Grade: C-