Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the top 10 players halfway through 2018

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 21: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball after a catch against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 21: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball after a catch against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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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)
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) /

7. team. 42. . Defensive Tackle. . Arik Armstead

Another player who has quietly gone about having a good season is the 49ers’ 2015 Round 1 NFL Draft pick, defensive tackle Arik Armstead.

Armstead staying healthy this season has made a huge difference. And while it’s anyone’s guess whether or not he’ll fit into San Francisco’s long-term plans beyond this season, and he’ll never live up to being selected No. 17 overall, at least Armstead has been making a positive impact among an otherwise disappointing Niners defense.

Case in point, Armstead’s 31 tackles ranks second among all San Francisco defenders. And his three sacks on the year has already set a career high.

But Armstead has made his money against opponents’ rushing attacks. According to Pro Football Focus, Armstead’s 84.4 run-defense grade ranks sixth among all edge defenders.

And when you combine that number with the low-but-still-somewhat-impressive sack totals, it’s not hard to see why Armstead comes in solidly at No. 7 on this list halfway through 2018.