Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Biggest winners & losers from the 2018 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Mike McGlinchey of Notre Dame after he was picked #9 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Mike McGlinchey of Notre Dame after he was picked #9 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 9
Next
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Quarterback Russell Wilson #75 of the Seattle Seahawks is tackled by Cassius Marsh #54 of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Quarterback Russell Wilson #75 of the Seattle Seahawks is tackled by Cassius Marsh #54 of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Winner: EDGE Cassius Marsh

Many thought the 49ers would add a prolific pass-rusher, perhaps as early as their first pick in the NFL Draft.

More from Niner Noise

But they didn’t, instead choosing to rely on on-roster options like EDGE Cassius Marsh, whom the Niners re-signed this offseason after being acquired by San Francisco in the middle of last season.

Marsh is just one part of the defense’s pass-rushing solution attempt. Yet he might be more than just a rotational option. Over just six games with the 49ers last year, Marsh registered a respectable 9.3 pass-rush productivity grade, per Pro Football Focus, with 16 total pressures and two sacks on 27 total pass-rush snaps.

That’s pretty good. So much so, that general manager John Lynch even explained the Niners’ lack of edge-rusher action in the NFL Draft.

“You don’t just walk in and take a guy like Cassius Marsh’s job,” Lynch said, via Joe Fann of 49ers.com, following the draft.

A pretty good endorsement. Marsh’s job in 2018 looks pretty safe.