Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers player stocks soaring after Week 4 of 2019 season

By Akshaj Dwivedula

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers runs on to the field for their game against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers runs on to the field for their game against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 15: Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a sack against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Stock up: DE Arik Armstead

The 49ers’ defensive line has been strong this year, but it’s now because of Arik Armstead rather than despite him. Armstead was solid last year, but he didn’t have the stats to back it up. This year, just like DeForest Buckner did last year, Armstead is compiling the statistics as well.

Armstead has filled the “Big end” role the 49ers have used with Saleh at defensive coordinator, playing outside on run downs and bumping inside on passing downs. This year, Armstead has been solid whether he’s been inside or outside.

https://twitter.com/49ers/status/1175895614300672002

This interception from last week’s game against the Steelers illustrates this point perfectly. Playing inside as a 1-tech (attacking the A gap between the center and guard), Armstead pushes the pocket while Dee Ford is left alone to rush from the outside. Armstead then disengages and forces Mason Rudolph into a terrible throw.

With two sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss and a lot of caused mayhem, Armstead’s stock is up over the first three games of the year.