3 simple goals for Robert Saleh, 49ers defense in 2020
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: Get Two 49ers Players with Double-Digit Sacks
Despite San Francisco’s prolific pass rush in 2019, it was a bit odd the team failed to produce more than one double-digit sack specialist.
That player, defensive tackle Arik Armstead, led the team with 10 sacks on the year, while DeForest Buckner, and EDGEs Nick Bosa and Dee Ford came in behind him with 7.5, 9.0 and 6.5, respectively.
With Buckner gone, the onus will be on Javon Kinlaw to at least eat up multiple blockers in the middle, freeing up players like Ford, Bosa and Armstead to pick up where they left off last season.
Bosa, the 2019 Defensive Rookie of the Year, figures to be the best candidate to reach double-digit sacks this season. Only a slight drop in production late in the regular season prevented this from happening.
Ford, meanwhile, needs to stay healthy. The prolific pass-rusher who boasted a career-best 13 sacks the year before with the Chiefs managed to be on the field for just 11 regular-season games last season and saw a shade just over 22 percent of the Niners’ defensive snaps.
If healthy, though, both Ford and Bosa could reach the double-digit sack column, which would mark a first for the team since defenders Chris Doleman and Roy Barker achieved this feat in 1998.
Considering some uncertainty surrounding Ford’s long-term status in San Francisco, it would be best for Robert Saleh and Co. to capitalize on this pass-rushing unit as much as possible this upcoming season.