Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Creating the ideal starting lineup for 2018

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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PULLMAN, WA – NOVEMBER 07: Mike Bercovici #2 of the Arizona State Sun Devils is sacked by Hercules Mata’afa #50 of the Washington State Cougars in the second half at Martin Stadium on November 7, 2015 in Pullman, Washington. Washington State defeated Arizona State 38-24. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
PULLMAN, WA – NOVEMBER 07: Mike Bercovici #2 of the Arizona State Sun Devils is sacked by Hercules Mata’afa #50 of the Washington State Cougars in the second half at Martin Stadium on November 7, 2015 in Pullman, Washington. Washington State defeated Arizona State 38-24. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

3-Technique: DeForest Buckner

5-Technique (Big End): Solomon Thomas

1-Technique: Earl Mitchell

Right End (LEO): Hercules Mata’afa

The 49ers have invested heavily in their defensive line the last three years, and that won’t change in 2018.

It’s hard to argue with the above formation on base downs, and 2017 first-overall Niners draftee Solomon Thomas can bump inside on passing downs. As the big end in a 4-3 Under scheme, he’s technically playing on the inside anyway with a SAM linebacker up along the line of scrimmage.

The key here, clearly, is the lack of a pass rush from the right defensive end, or LEO, spot. San Francisco experimented with edge rushers Arik Armstead and Aaron Lynch here last season, while giving 3rd-and-long snaps to veteran EDGE Elvis Dumervil.

It didn’t exactly work out, though. Armstead was lost early in the year to a hand injury, and Lynch was a non-factor. At 34 years old, Dumervil remains a situational pass-rusher at best.

What’s needed here is an every-down edge bender. And a perfect fit would be Washington State’s Hercules Mata’afa.

According to this projection, the 49ers have already used their first-round pick on Tremaine Edmunds. Mata’afa is probably a day-two pickup, and he should be San Francisco’s target.

Fourth and Nine’s Dylan DeSimone has been high on Mata’afa for some time now, describing how he’s a perfect fit for what Robert Saleh sees in a LEO role:

"Mata’afa embodies everything Saleh desires in his defense and projects to play a position they’re looking to fill. As a constant presence in the backfield, the Wazzu product plays violent, fast and with a chip on his shoulder. His hyperactive play speed and pop at the point of contact really captures his game. He also matches the size requirements for a Leo, listing at 6-foot-2, 252 pounds, according to the Wazzu website."

San Francisco won’t finish 26th in sacks this season with Mata’afa on the roster.