Niner Noise
FanSided

Power ranking 49ers top 10 players halfway through 2019 season

By Peter Panacy

Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers with George Kittle #85 (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers with George Kittle #85 (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals is tackled by defensive end Dee Ford #55 of the San Francisco 49ers. Ford was penalized for the horse collar tackle during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium on October 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals is tackled by defensive end Dee Ford #55 of the San Francisco 49ers. Ford was penalized for the horse collar tackle during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium on October 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

. . . Dee Ford. 6. player. 42

San Francisco’s secondary has been good, yes. But a lot of the defensive backs’ success wouldn’t be if it weren’t for the efforts from the guys up front.

Particularly the pass-rushers, who have accumulated a whopping 30 sacks over the first half of the season. In case you were wondering, that number is tied for second in the NFL, just one behind the league-leading New England Patriots (31).

EDGE Dee Ford is tied for second, with fellow defensive lineman Arik Armstead, in sacks this season with 5.5.  Ford also has 15 quarterback pressures, which ranks third best.

Simply put, Ford has made a massive difference for the 49ers’ outstanding pass defense in 2019. Sending off a second-round NFL Draft pick to the Kansas City Chiefs last offseason is paying off handsomely through the first half of the year.

Ford could be ranked higher on this list. But he has been hobbled by a knee and quad injury, dating back to training camp. As a result, the Niners have almost exclusively used him in passing situations only. Out of the net total of 179 snaps he’s seen, Ford has been on the field for a mere 35 run-defense plays.

This knocks Ford down a bit, but let’s not discount his presence when he’s been on the field.