Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the top 25 players for 2018

By Chris Wilson

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 26
Next
San Francisco 49ers Arik Armstead
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers hits quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

17. DE Arik Armstead

2018 is a critical year for Arik Armstead after the 49ers elected to execute the oft-injured defensive lineman’s fifth-year option in April. Although Armstead has recorded just six sacks in three seasons, his limited numbers are a product of decreased playing time due to injury, not a lack of pass-rushing ability:

After playing just 14 games over the past two seasons, Armstead needs to play a complete 2018 season, and provide the disruptive interior pass rush he was famous for during the beginning of his career.