Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 5 biggest cornerstone players heading into 2018

By Peter Panacy

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 10: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass in the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 10: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass in the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 22: Reuben Foster #56 of the San Francisco 49ers takes the field prior to their NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 22: Reuben Foster #56 of the San Francisco 49ers takes the field prior to their NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Linebacker Reuben Foster

Well, this is obvious.

Rookie linebacker Reuben Foster is a game changer. We know this. Despite playing in only eight games this season, the former Alabama product ranks second on the 49ers defense with 52 tackles.

And his overall Pro Football Focus grade? A cool 89.7 — fifth best among all qualifying linebackers. Not just rookies. That’s right up there with names like the Carolina Panthers’ Luke Kuechly and the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Telvin Smith.

But Foster means more to San Francisco than just great stats and on-field production. There’s energy there too… the kind that reinvigorates a defense.

While there are too many X-factors to link between the two, one stands out in a big way.

Anyone who watched the 49ers’ 2016 run defense knows how bad it was. Like, 4.8 yards per carry bad. That number has dropped down one entire yard per attempt this season, which ranks seventh best in the entire NFL.

Not coincidentally, Foster’s PFF run-stopping grade is 90.4 — fourth best in the NFL.

Yeah, Foster’s a cornerstone.