Niner Noise
FanSided

Where will the 49ers supply their pass rush in 2018?

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 11: Gerald Hodges #51 and Glenn Dorsey #90 of the San Francisco 49ers sack Bryce Petty #9 of the New York Jets during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 11: Gerald Hodges #51 and Glenn Dorsey #90 of the San Francisco 49ers sack Bryce Petty #9 of the New York Jets during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks runs downfield against defensive lineman Arik Armstead of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of the game at CenturyLink Field on September 17, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Seahawks beat the San Francisco 49ers 12-9. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks runs downfield against defensive lineman Arik Armstead of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of the game at CenturyLink Field on September 17, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Seahawks beat the San Francisco 49ers 12-9. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

49ers’ On-Roster Options for the Pass Rush

The majority of San Francisco’s pass-rushing options on the outside consist of second- and third-tier choices — rotational-type pass-rushers, who likely wouldn’t be featured in such a prominent role on other teams.

Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh wanted to experiment with 2015 first-round draftee, defensive tackle Arik Armstead, from the right defensive end (LEO) spot last year. But a hand injury limited Armstead to just six games last season, and we never got to see the true impact he could have had at this position over the course of a full year.

At 6-foot-7 and 292 pounds, Armstead isn’t a prototypical EDGE anyway. But what Saleh is banking on is Armstead’s pass-rush productivity as a 3-4 defensive end prior to 2017, which ranked second during that span, per Pro Football Focus:

Still, Armstead has just six sacks at the NFL level to his credit, and never has he had three or more in a single season.

Other On-Roster Options

The lack of sack production is a bit worrisome. San Francisco could employ other EDGE-type players this year, namely Solomon Thomas, Ronald Blair, Pita Taumoepenu and Cassius Marsh.

Thomas, the Niners’ first Round 1 selection a year ago, is better suited to inside duties, which likely limits his overall impact as a pure pass-rusher. Blair, another flexible option, flashed some moments over his first two seasons at the NFL level, but he’s likely a rotational option at best. 2017 rookie Taumoepenu managed to appear in just two games last season and is awfully raw, while Marsh managed to provide something of a solid impact after being acquired midway through last year.

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) /

On the negative side of things, this foursome has a combined total of just 14 sacks over their collective careers. In comparison, Arizona Cardinals EDGE Chandler Jones led the NFL in sacks in 2017 with 17.

Out of the Niners crop, Marsh could be the surprise find. While he had only two sacks in six games last season, Marsh did register 16 quarterback pressures on 135 pass-rush snaps, amounting to a respectable 9.3 pass-rush productivity grade, per PFF.