49ers 2017 season review: Full position grades and analysis

Defensive line

Coming into this season, this unit was the most hyped due to its potential. That is what happens when you have three first-round picks scattered among the defensive line. The team decided to make investments at the position group, and 2017 showed that those investments are beginning to pay off.

DeForest Buckner was easily the most dominant player here for the 49ers, building on his strong rookie campaign. All season long it was Buckner who remained the most consistent and impactful on the defensive line, and the statistics back it up.

Buckner finished the season as one of the more productive players at his position, as he was No. 9 in interior defenders pass rushing productivity (PRP) at 8.4, per Pro Football Focus. The Oregon product was the only defender in the NFL to play over 470 pass rush snaps and register a PRP of 8.0 or higher.

Among interior defenders, Buckner was No. 5 in total quarterback pressures with 52. In the rush department, the second-year player was solid as well. According to PFF, Buckner finished with 27 run stops, which was No. 10 in the NFL. In all, Buckner had an exceptional season grading out as PFF‘s No. 6 interior defender (90.7).

Solomon Thomas, the No. 3 pick in the 2017 Draft and Lynch’s first selection as general manager, experienced a rookie season filled with ups and downs — akin to many first timers. Thomas was awarded NFL.com’s Rookie of the Week for his performance against the Arizona Cardinals back in October in which he logged one sack and five tackles, two of those going for a loss.

At times though Thomas disappeared, failing to make an impact. Rushing the passer was an issue, with Thomas registering only three sacks. The rookie defensive lineman did miss two games due to injury in the middle of the season.

But the Stanford product got better as the year progressed, showing signs of maturation. Thomas had the most tackles-for-loss among 49ers defensive lineman with six and was ninth in total tackles with 41.

Some of that growth was on display on this run by Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry in Week 15:

Buckner and Thomas are shaping up to be a formidable pair for seasons to come. The two were part of a resurgent unit, one that fared far better than in 2016. To compare and contrast:

"San Francisco only allowed 3.8 yards per carry, No. 7 in the NFL. That mark is down a full yard from last year when they gave up 4.8 yards per carry. They gave up 13 rushing touchdowns, No. 18 in the NFL. Last season? The number was 25."

While yes indeed the overall lack of sacks is of considerable concern — the 49ers notched only 30 sacks as a team with Elvis Dumveril as the leader at a mere 6.5 — the foundation has been laid. The interior is set with Buckner, and Thomas is coming into his own.

A true pass rusher is the final piece, and this line will be ready to compete as one of the league’s best.

Grade: B+

Linebacker

Leading up to the opening game of 2017, rookie linebacker Reuben Foster was the recipient of much praise. Reports from training camp were overwhelmingly positive, with the word “missile” being used as a descriptor often.

Right away into his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers, it become clear why. Missiles are destructive devices, volatile in nature.

Foster had three tackles and a pass break up in the opening minutes of the game; then it all came crashing down. The first-year player suffered a lower-leg injury and was carted off the field.

Foster ended up missing seven games in total, dealing with ankle and rib injuries. Even with all this, his medically repaired shoulder held for the season, giving some relief for management amid an injury-filled debut year for Foster. Also giving them some relief? His play on the field.

When Foster finally returned, he was fast to show why Lynch traded back into the first round for his draft rights. Immediately, you could see an uptick in the play from the unit. Running holes started to be filled much quicker, with Foster flashing off his speed.

According to David Neumann of PFF, Foster had 19 run tackles within two yards of the line-of-scrimmage that prevented a first down from Week 9 — when Foster returned to action — to end the season, the most of any linebacker and second-most of any defender.

The tackling prowess was showcased game in and game out, but it was the big-hit ability that drew the highlights.

Here are some the best plays from Foster’s rookie year:

Foster also showed he can defend in the passing game, a skill that is becoming more and more necessary in today’s game as receivers and backs become increasingly athletic and agile.

Despite missing essentially half the season, Foster was second on the team in tackles with 72. That alone exemplifies the kind of player Foster is — making an impact on the game in an efficient manner.

For November, Foster’s first full month of play, he was awarded NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month. Foster was fourth among rookie linebackers in total tackles.

The 49ers run defense allowed just 2.3 yards after contact per attempt from Week 9 on, the second-lowest over that time span, per Neumann.

Game after game, it became clear that the 49ers had nabbed a franchise player with the 31st pick. In my opinion, Foster was by far and away the best rookie linebacker in the NFL.

The combination of speed, power and swiftness seen from Foster is jaw-dropping. In just a short amount of time, Foster established himself as one of the top players at the position.

Foster’s 90.7 PFF grade is No. 4 among all linebackers, up with the likes of Bobby Wagner, Luke Kuechly and Lavonte David. The next closest rookie linebacker to Foster in terms of PFF grades was the Houston Texans’ Zach Cunningham at 80.6, highlighting an elite first season from the Alabama product.

He was nowhere near as stellar as Foster, but teammate Brock Coyle turned in a solid season after a rough start. Coyle struggled at times before settling in and ultimately finishing fourth on the team in tackles with 64.

In summary, it was this group that also factored into the improved rush defense. On the flip side, the disparity in talent behind Foster is noticeable and a cornerback led the team in tackles (Donate Johnson with 77) which obviously is not ideal.

There is definitely work to be done, and the addition of linebacker Malcolm Smith in 2018 should aid that.

Grade: B-

Defensive backs

Out of all the units on the defensive side, this was the most inconsistent. There was talk of Rashard Robinson as a legitimate starter, but that faded in rapid fashion due to penalties and poor play. Robinson was shipped off to the New York Jets at the trade deadline, which opened up an opportunity for the rookie Ahkello Witherspoon.

Over the final weeks of 2017, Witherspoon showed that decision to trust him with starting duties was the correct one. From Week 12 to Week 17, no wide receiver scored on Witherspoon. On 52 targets, Witherspoon allowed 31 receptions for 494 yards and three touchdowns while recording two interceptions.

Witherspoon received an 81.1 grade from PFF, placing him in the above average percentile. Of course there were rough patches, but all signs point toward the 49ers having found a No. 1 cornerback.

In the slot, cornerback K’Waun Williams also had himself a nice season. It was clear early on management liked what they saw, evident of Williams’ contract extension on Oct. 6. And Williams proceeded to justify the three added years to his deal.

Williams only surrendered one touchdown all season while allowing 45 receptions for 382 yards on 60 targets. He finished No. 7 on the team in tackles with 54. For the season, Williams graded out at 80.2 from PFF.

At the safety position, it was another rookie who made a name for himself. Seventh-round draft pick Adrian Colbert’s hard hitting exploits soon became notorious once he was inserted into the starting lineup, which came after injuries to safeties Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt.

Tartt deserves some quick mention as he was in the midst of a breakout season before breaking his forearm. At the time of his injury, Tartt was PFF’s No. 11 safety. To the surprise of many, there was little drop-off in play once Colbert took over.

Colbert finished as PFF’s No. 4 rookie safety (77.8), and delivered a bevy of memorable hits. Alongside his ability to lay some serious wood, Colbert also showed he can play in coverage. The Miami product displayed just that in the last game against the Los Angeles Rams:

Eric Reid — in the final year of his current contract with the 49ers — did enough in 2017 to warrant a new deal, but at a team-friendly price. Spending some time at weak side linebacker, Reid was forced into a position change.

But injuries put Reid back into his natural safety spot, where he graded out at 81.4 for PFF. The big-hit capability that has become common with Reid was there this season. But Tartt is likely to be back as the starter next season, so the future is very murky right now for Reid.

Grade: C+