5 areas in which the San Francisco 49ers may regress in 2018
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: The 49ers Pass Rush
Yes, Niner Noise already listed the pass rush as one of the team’s top weaknesses entering 2018.
And yes, we’re also saying it could regress after a lackluster 30-sack campaign a year ago, which ranked 26th in the NFL.
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There are a few simple reasons for this. San Francisco’s leading pass-rusher from a year ago, Elvis Dumervil, is no longer with the team after posting 6.5 sacks. Instead, the 49ers are asking fellow edge rushers Cassius Marsh and Jeremiah Attaochu to pick up where Dumervil left off.
Considering these two have just 16 total sacks between them over eight combined NFL seasons, it’s not exactly a fact inspiring confidence.
True, the Niners’ interior pass rush could be better this season, particularly if defensive tackle DeForest Buckner gets some help up front. Yet the 49ers lack a true edge bender, which many consider to be the most important position on the field outside a quarterback.
Still, it’s not hard to envision a scenario in which San Francisco finishes 2018 with fewer sacks than it had a year ago.
Next: Ranking the 49ers' top 5 strengths heading into 2018
Fortunately, unlike this past offseason, the 2019 NFL Draft is going to be laden with promising outside pass-rushers.
And it wouldn’t be shocking at all if that’s how the team elects to use its first-round pick next year.