Niner Noise
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Revisiting Niner Noise’s ‘bold’ predictions for the 49ers in 2017

By Peter Panacy

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers, center, looks to linebacker NaVorro Bowman #53 in the tunnel before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on September 17, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers, center, looks to linebacker NaVorro Bowman #53 in the tunnel before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on September 17, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 29: Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles is tackled after a short gain by DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first half during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 29, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 29: Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles is tackled after a short gain by DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first half during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 29, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Prediction No. 4: A 49ers Defender Posts Double-Digit Sacks

What Actually Happened: Veteran EDGE led the 49ers with 6.5

So much for that.

The thinking here was coordinator Robert Saleh’s 4-3 Under defensive scheme would put enough defenders up in the box, pressure had to get home against some of the weaker offensive lines the Niners would face in 2017.

Remember all the talk about the LEO position (I wonder if most 49ers fans even knew what a LEO was before this season)? Well, that was supposed to be the difference maker.

While the LEO was important, my money was on second-year defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who was tied for the team lead in sacks (six) his rookie 2016 season.

What We Said

"Buckner is on the rise, so he could be a candidate for 10-plus sacks this season. Especially if his maturation continues. Or, perhaps, the next Niners sack specialist winds up being a rookie pass-rusher. Maybe someone like Tennessee’s Derek Barnett or, if he falls beyond the first pick, Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett."

What Happened

Buckner ended up with three sacks, and the 49ers didn’t land a true edge bender until Round 6 of the NFL Draft, Pita Taumoepenu, and he was inactive for all but two games in 2017. So, no. We didn’t see Myles Garrett or Derek Barnett perform in a Niners uniform.

But we did see veteran EDGE Elvis Dumervil lead the team with 6.5 sacks. That’s cool, especially considering the first was the 100th of his stellar career.

Yet with San Francisco finishing 26th in the NFL with 30 sacks, it’s pretty clear we missed this prediction altogether.