Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers vs. Redskins: Full Week 6 preview for San Francisco

By Logan Stanley

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 08: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass during first quarter of the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 08: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass during first quarter of the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers hits quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers hits quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Week 6 by the numbers

Through five games played for San Francisco, it’s becoming evident two players are key components to any potential success. They were both previously mentioned — DeForest Buckner and Pierre Garçon are proving to be vital members.

Let’s begin with Garçon. Signed in the offseason as the team’s largest acquisition, at five years for $47.5 million, the 31-year-old veteran is earning every cent of his paycheck.

Garçon has graded out at 83.2 for PFF, which is the fifth highest among wide receivers in the NFL. He’s graded ahead of players like Tyreek Hill, DeAndre Hopkins and Golden Tate. Here’s PFF’s analysis of Garçon:

"Despite playing on one of the worst teams in the NFL, Garcon has shown he really is one of the best receivers in the NFL. Garcon is proving that he can succeed no matter who is throwing him the football, as his 2.05 yards per route run is eighth in the NFL among receivers who’ve run at least 150 routes. Garcon also has 126 yards after the catch and three missed tackles forced. Perhaps most impressively, 49ers QB Brian Hoyer has a rating of 91.0 when targeting Garcon, and a rating of 61.5 when targeting any of his other wide receivers."

Maybe the most eye-catching statistic of them all, Garçon has yet to drop a catchable ball year this season (28 targets total). Garçon is eighth in total receiving yards (379), tied for 12th in receptions (28) and is ninth for yards per game (75.8).

For DeForest Buckner, it’s been a dominant season for the second-year pro. Remember how I said Buckner’s been playing at an elite level? The numbers back it up.

Buckner’s right up there with some of the league’s best when it comes to interior defensive linemen. In terms of rushing the passer, Buckner has played extremely well. He has produced 14 quarterback pressures, and is ranked second among players at the position with a pass-rush grade of 89.6.

But rushing the ball, Buckner has also been able to make an impact. Per PFF, Buckner’s 13 run stops is tied for second most among interior defenders, and his 10.1 percent run-stop percentage is good for 13th in the NFL.

Overall, Buckner has graded out at 93.2 for PFF — the 2nd highest for interior defenders.