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San Francisco 49ers: Predicting team player awards for the 2017 season

By Peter Panacy

December 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end DeForest Buckner (99) sacks New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Jets defeated the 49ers 23-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end DeForest Buckner (99) sacks New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Jets defeated the 49ers 23-17 in overtime. 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 /

Most Improved Stat Line — Rushing Yards Allowed

The 49ers defense in 2016 was bad. Historically bad, just as Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee pointed out last season:

Just take a look at what the Niners allowed last year and where they ranked among the remainder of the NFL:

49ers 2016 Defensive Team Stats and Rankings Table
Tot Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Rush Rush Rush Rush Aver Aver Aver Aver Aver
Player PF Yds TO 1stD Att Yds TD Int NY/A Att Yds TD Y/A Start Time Plays Yds Pts
Opp. Stats 480 6502 20 358 521 3848 30 10 6.9 548 2654 25 4.8 Own 31.6 2:38 5.6 31.9 2.33
Lg Rank Defense 32 32 19 29 2 14 25 23 28 32 32 32 32 30 15 9 22 30

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/19/2017.

There’s a lot to look at, but check out the difference between passing and rushing attempts faced. Teams could run rampant against the Niners defense, and they knew it. Averaging 4.8 yards per carry all but ensures teams only need less than half a yard on third downs to pick up a first.

So San Francisco set to work upgrading the run defense this offseason.

A key part of the solution was landing nose tackle Earl Mitchell — a solid run stuffer to clog up the middle of the defensive line.

Taking former Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas in Round 1 of the NFL Draft should help. So will fellow first-round draftee, linebacker Reuben Foster. Just ask Pro Football Focus’ Jeff Deeney:

Switching over to a 4-3 under defense will also mean the Niners will play more defenders close to the line of scrimmage. This should limit the gains running backs get in base formations.

And we can also hope the current crop of defenders can hold their own against the run in nickel packages as well.

So look for San Francisco to have a positive surge for its run defense this year. It may just be the biggest statistical swing this season.