49ers’ 2018 ‘Who Is?’ series: San Francisco’s defense

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 24: Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams is stopped short of the goal line by the San Francisco 49ers defense during the fourth quarter of their game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 24: Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams is stopped short of the goal line by the San Francisco 49ers defense during the fourth quarter of their game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers hits quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers hits quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Why the 49ers Defense Improves in 2018

As noted on the first slide, Jimmy Garoppolo’s presence made a huge difference in the average yards per game the Niners allowed last season.

Cutting nearly 75 yards per game off the total allowed is significant. And it’s often enough so-so defenses can be made to look good with the presence of an effective offense. According to Football Outsiders, the 49ers offense actually finished eighth in fewest 3-and-out drives last season. And that includes the inept offense before Garoppolo prior to him starting in Week 13.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Being on the field for less time will cut into San Francisco’s 5,625 total yards allowed last season.

In addition to the numbers, one should expect individual performances to improve too. A year ago, Pro Football Focus ranked defensive tackle DeForest Buckner the No. 6 overall interior defender in the league. Getting only three sacks, though, Buckner was denied a Pro Bowl selection.

Expect that to change in 2018.

It will change if the Niners’ other defensive line first-round investments show some major improvement. Fellow defensive tackle Arik Armstead was injured for much of 2017, although a switch to the left defensive end (big end) spot perhaps plays into his best abilities. Additionally, the Niners’ top pick from the 2017 draft, Solomon Thomas, will look to improve from a disappointing rookie campaign. PFF thinks he can, and a better command of his role should help him live up to his lofty draft billing.

Ascending Secondary and Linebacker Corps

Like Buckner, PFF ranked then-rookie linebacker Reuben Foster at an elite level — No. 4 overall out of 85 linebackers graded, despite him missing six games with injury.

Foster will miss the first two games of 2018 with a suspension. Yet his presence on the field is invaluable. And assuming he takes that all-too-common big step between years one and two, there’s little reason to assume Foster doesn’t finish the year as a Pro Bowler.

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) /

Unlike last year, San Francisco’s linebacking depth won’t be as big a concern. Particularly with rookie Fred Warner in the fray, along with a healthy return of veteran backer Malcolm Smith.

On the back end, one might look for the starting safety tandem of Jaquiski Tartt and Adrian Colbert to have excellent follow-up campaigns to their 2017 efforts. PFF graded both players at 85.7 and 77.6, respectively, and Tartt’s mark actually ended up being the Niners’ best within the secondary before he was lost halfway through the year with an arm injury.

The biggest storyline, of course, is Richard Sherman.

Coming off an Achilles injury and turning 30 years old, Sherman might not be quite the player he was when he received three first-team All-Pro nominations from his time with the Seattle Seahwaks.

Still, he’s still the best corner on the 49ers roster and a perfect mentor for second-year defensive back Ahkello Witherspoon, who also impressed in 2017 with an 81.1 overall PFF grade.