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San Francisco 49ers: Breaking down defensive line’s alignment in 2017

By Peter Panacy

October 22, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; General view of the line of scrimmage between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 22, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; General view of the line of scrimmage between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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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 /

49ers 4-3 Base Personnel Lineup

One of the biggest pieces of chatter this offseason has been the right defensive end, or LEO, position.

I’d be willing to guess most 49ers fans had never heard the LEO discussed so much before, but that’s changed this season.

The LEO is typically reserved for the team’s best pass-rusher. It’s an EDGE position, responsible with shooting the B gap or getting around through the C gap, depending on the LEO’s choice of pass-rushing moves.

San Francisco has one player ideally built for this position, edge rusher Aaron Lynch. Yet Lynch has reportedly shown up to minicamp about 20 pounds overweight, which could cast doubt on his ability to converge on the quarterback quickly.

One of the possible solutions is to use Arik Armstead over Lynch at this position.

Armstead, at 6-foot-7 and 296 pounds, isn’t exactly an ideal build for LEO. But it’s impossible to deny his pass-rush productivity:

Either way, the 49ers will likely play Armstead in obvious passing situations with Lynch — or someone else — holding the edge in rushing downs.

Remainder of the Defensive Line

Immediately to the LEO’s left will likely be second-year pro DeForest Buckner. He’ll be in 3-technique, responsible for shooting the 3 gap.

It’s important to remember Buckner was tied for the team lead in sacks last year (six), so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see San Francisco benefit from serious interior pressure this season.

Related Story: 49ers film room: Personnel fits in 4-3 base defenses

At the nose tackle spot, the 1-technique, Earl Mitchell figures to be a primary inside run-stopper for the 49ers defense. Seattle-like defenses typically feature short, stubby defenders to occupy this spot. And Mitchell’s 6-foot-1, 289-pound frame fits the bill.

So does his likely backup, D.J. Jones, at 6-foot-1 and 319 pounds.

Along the left side of the line, San Francisco will place rookie Solomon Thomas at the left defensive end spot and Ahmad Brooks as SAM linebacker.

The below image, courtesy of Niner Noise’s own Chris Wilson, illustrates how San Francisco will deploy its starting personnel in a base 4-3 under scheme:

49ers 4-3
49ers 4-3 /

This is the kind of defense — even in a three-wide formation — has been a staple of what defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has learned in both Seattle and Jacksonville.

And it’s what we should expect for the Niners in 2017.