49ers defense, not offense, will lead the way in 2017
By Robert Smith
With an offensive-minded head coach in Kyle Shanahan, one might think the San Francisco 49ers will rely on their offense in 2017. But it is the defense that will have the biggest impact.
With his father — a former San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator and Super Bowl champion — and his own solid work with a plethora of different quarterbacks and offenses, head coach Kyle Shanahan has the pedigree and track record that has fans excited for what he can do for the offensive scheme and play-calling come September.
And with some new additions to the offense, there is reason for hope the team can improve upon a 31st-ranked offense from last year.
But it is the Niners defense new defensive coordinator Robert Saleh will oversee that could be the difference between closing in on an 8-8 season and selecting in the top five again in the 2018 NFL Draft.
San Francisco 49ers
Saleh will install a defense similar to the 4-3 hybrid the Seattle Seahawks are currently running. But it will be the players ultimately making the transformation a success or failure.
Most people who are not familiar with a San Francisco roster that went 2-14 last year may think the cupboards are completely bare. But if you look a little deeper, there are actually a handful of really nice pieces to build around.
Starting with the return of Pro Bowl linebacker NaVorro Bowman from yet another season-ending injury, Eric Reid (another former Pro Bowler), promising cornerback Rashard Robinson, to Deforest Buckner and Arik Armstead up front, the team has a few building blocks for Saleh to work with.
Add to that the drafting of Stanford stud, defensive end Solomon Thomas, and Alabama’s hard-hitting linebacker Reuben Foster in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, and some of the glaring weaknesses of the team are now potentially a strong point.
To say the Niners defense struggled in run defense last season would be like saying, “the Titanic took on a little water.” The team was dead last in rush defense last year, a byproduct of poor scheme, poor tackling and a lack of depth all along the defensive side of the ball.
General manager John Lynch pulled off some draft-day magic, trading down one spot from the second overall pick with the Chicago Bears and hauling in extra picks along the way. He then used some of that capital (a fourth-round pick received from Chicago) to move back into the first round and snag Foster with the 31st pick.
And with the addition of free-agent signee Malcolm Smith, the 49ers have strengthened a linebacker corps that had been depleted with retirements and injuries the past few seasons.
In Saleh’s defense, the 49ers may start Jimmie Ward at free safety with Reid at strong safety. The starting cornerbacks may very well be Robinson and possibly rookie Ahkello Witherspoon, with K’Waun Williams at nickel corner.
The defensive front, which moves to the 4-3, could have Buckner, Earl Mitchell (free-agent acquisition), Thomas and Aaron Lynch up front. Another rookie, D.J. Jones, Armstead, Quinton Dial and Tank Carradine could be part of the rotation.
With a full training camp and preseason still to come, the competition at each of these positions should be fast and furious. It will also allow Saleh to mix and match different combinations of players to find the best 11 on the defensive side of the ball.
As Shanahan works to repair ever facet of a broken 49ers offense, he still may need a few pieces to have his vision for the offense come to fruition.
But the defense, which had some talent and has been beefed up with free-agent acquisitions and a strong draft class, could be what keeps the 49ers competitive late into next season.
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Time to bring back that physical Niners defense.