Ranking the 49ers 10 biggest disappointments of 2019
By Peter Panacy
No. 7: 49ers Run Defense
Again, it’s tough to complain about anything regarding the 49ers defense this season, especially when it was primarily responsible for carrying the team’s efforts for much of 2019.
That said, it’s hard to ignore coordinator Robert Saleh’s run defense has suffered a significant drop off from a year ago.
This season, the Niners are allowing an average of 4.6 rush yards per carry, which ranks 26th in the league. And the 1,516 total yards on the ground San Francisco has surrendered ranks 22nd.
A year ago, the 49ers had allowed 4.1 yards per attempt, which ranked seventh best, and gave up a total of 1,814, which was 15th.
According to Football Outsiders‘ DVOA metrics, San Francisco actually boasts the second worst run defense in the entire league this season, only ahead of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are allowing a whopping 5.3 yards per rush this season — second highest in the league.
Part of this is explained by the team’s switch to a wide-9 defensive alignment, which has opened up the interior, making it more vulnerable to inside runs between the tackles. Injuries, particularly to linebacker Kwon Alexander, have played a role here, too.
Still, one can worry a bit whether or not this facet could hinder the 49ers’ playoff aspirations at some point between now and the Super Bowl.