Niner Noise
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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) /
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San Francisco 49ers Jeremiah Attaochu
KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 13: Jeremiah Attaochu #97 of the San Diego Chargers sacks Alex Smith #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium during the third quarter of the game on December 13, 2015 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

25. EDGE Jeremiah Attaochu

Surprisingly, the San Francisco 49ers’ front office chose not to aggressively address the team’s obvious edge-rusher deficiency, and instead elected to release their 2017 sack leader, Elvis Dumervil.

However, Lynch and Shanahan added a potential replacement for Dumervil in San Diego Chargers EDGE Jeremiah Attaochu. While Attaochu is somewhat unproven, he has the physical skills necessary to wreak havoc in opposing backfields.

Attaochu may not see extensive work for the 49ers on base downs, but he should be one of the team’s primary edge rushers on obvious passing downs. Attaochu will need to remain healthy and demonstrate a consistent pass rush in order for the Niners’ defense to get off the field in important third-down situations.