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:
#49ers have now established franchise highs in:
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) January 1, 2017
* Yards allowed in a season
* Points allowed in a season
* Rushing yards allowed in a season
Just take a look at what the Niners allowed last year and where they ranked among the remainder of the NFL:
| 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:
Solomon Thomas had our top overall production grade & run grade among DTs last year. Reuben Foster had the top overall & run grades for ILBs
— Jeff Deeney (@PFF_Jeff) April 28, 2017
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.