49ers’ 2018 ‘Who Is?’ series: Linebacker Brock Coyle
By Peter Panacy
In this installment of Niner Noise’s “Who Is?” series for 2018, we look at San Francisco 49ers linebacker Brock Coyle and break down his projected role this upcoming season.
When the San Francisco 49ers inked former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Brock Coyle in the 2017 offseason, they were hoping to get a solid special teams contributor and defender familiar with the defensive scheme operated by coordinator Robert Saleh.
Like most things, though, plans change. And Coyle found himself pressed into service as a starter last season.
With 2017 first-round draftee Reuben Foster missing six games with an ankle injury, and fellow-free-agent pickup Malcolm Smith (pectoral) having landed on injured reserve, Coyle’s role increased dramatically.
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Generated 5/20/2018.
Coyle’s increased role eventually led to the Niners inking him to an extension through 2020. And while his 2018 responsibilities could be different, there’s value to be had in both experience and depth.
Especially considering Foster’s ever-changing off-field legal situation.
So what should fans expect from Coyle this upcoming year? Will San Francisco put him back into a starting role, or will Coyle revert back to only being a special teams contributor?
Why Brock Coyle Improves in 2018
According to Pro Football Focus, Coyle’s numbers weren’t particularly inspiring a year ago. He registered just a 41.3 overall grade in 2017 and didn’t exactly flash prowess against the run or the pass.
Yet the Niners clearly saw something in him they liked, giving him the chance to start 10 games and see a total of 646 snaps.
Saleh’s scheme is essentially identical to the one Coyle played under in Seattle, so there isn’t going to be any further learning adjustment. Some developed chemistry with other players, perhaps, but little more.
At 6-foot-1 and 245 pounds, Coyle can back up either the WILL or MIKE linebacker spots. Although it might be best to put him towards the middle, where he wouldn’t have to make tackles on runners in open space as much.
Why He Regresses
Coyle experienced his biggest role at the pro level last year, and that was largely due to the injuries suffered by both Foster and Smith.
Smith is poised to return healthy this season. And while Foster’s availability for 2018 has yet to be determined, it’s looking as if the 49ers are intent on keeping him in a starting role as much as possible.
San Francisco 49ers
There’s an X-factor in all of this, though, in the team’s Round 3 NFL Draft selection of BYU linebacker Fred Warner.
Warner’s coverage skills are exemplary for a rookie linebacker. And he could take away a lot of the pass-coverage snaps Coyle would have faced, had San Francisco not taken Warner in the draft.
And with the remaining crowd at the linebacker spot, it’s very possible Coyle reverts back to being a special teams contributor only.
What to Expect with the 49ers in 2018
Coyle’s roster spot looks pretty good this season. Special teams aside, he has an innate knowledge of the defensive system. In a way, he’s never payed in any other scheme.
Foster’s status for the upcoming year only serves to increase the 49ers’ reliance on Coyle anyway. Coyle adequately demonstrated the ability to be a solid backup. And while the defense will see new faces in Smith and Warner this year, having the ability to fall back on Coyle isn’t a bad thing.
Perhaps the biggest competition Coyle faces this offseason will be with free-agent pickup Korey Toomer.
Toomer’s 80.3 overall PFF grade last year suggests he’s an improvement, so this will be an interesting camp competition to watch. The key will be seeing exactly how Toomer picks up the new defense, though — an area in which Coyle doesn’t have to worry about.
It’s possible the Niners keep both linebackers anyway, with Coyle primarily operating on special teams and Toomer serving as a primary backup.
Next: 49ers' early bubble-watch projections for 2018
Those decisions will be left for training camp, yet it’s safe to say this is a nice budding competition in which Coyle will have to thrive.