Niner Noise
FanSided

10 reasons the San Francisco 49ers win the NFC West in 2018

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his touchdown against Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his touchdown against Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: Reuben Foster #56 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: Reuben Foster #56 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Linebacker Reuben Foster Carries the 49ers Defense

If the 49ers defense is able to take a major leap in 2018, a lot of it will hinge on second-year linebacker Reuben Foster.

Had Foster not missed six games his rookie season with an ankle injury, he would have been a surefire Pro Bowler last year. His 90.7 overall Pro Football Focus grade in 2017 ranked fourth best among all linebackers, not just rookies.

Foster’s first NFL offseason was tumultuous, for sure. Yet San Francisco stuck by his side, waited out the legal process and will enjoy the fruits of Foster not being prosecuted for multiple felony accounts from a February incident in the Bay Area. It’s possible Foster faces a minor NFL-mandated suspension this season, but it’s not likely to be much.

San Francisco’s defense is infinitely better with Foster on the field. And if he’s able to stay healthy this season, the defense’s trend towards limiting yardage against (for example, the Niners allowed one full rush yard less, on average, in 2017 than 2016) should continue.

And Foster would be a major reason why.