Niner Noise
FanSided

3 LA Rams players who pose biggest threat to SF 49ers defense

By Peter Panacy

Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts to wide receiver Cooper Kupp #18 of the Los Angeles Rams (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts to wide receiver Cooper Kupp #18 of the Los Angeles Rams (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Darrell Henderson, LA Rams, SF 49ers
Los Angeles Rams running back Darrell Henderson (27) tackled by San Francisco 49ers middle linebacker Kwon Alexander (56) Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3 Threat to SF 49ers: Running Back Darrell Henderson

For the most part this season, the SF 49ers have managed their own defending against the run, something they didn’t do particularly well for all of 2019.

To date, Robert Saleh’s defense is allowing just 3.8 yards per rush attempt, which ranks seventh best in the league. Adding rookie defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw and inserting second-year pro defensive tackle Kevin Givens into a more prominent role has certainly helped here, as well as the maturation of linebacker Fred Warner.

Still, Rams running back Darrell Henderson remains a massive threat. The hand-picked successor to former Rams, now-Atlanta Falcons tailback Todd Gurley is leading Los Angeles’ ground attack with 260 rush yards while averaging an impressive 4.5 yards per carry. He’s also added 92 yards on seven receptions through the air to go with four all-purpose touchdowns, much like how Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan likes to use his tailbacks.

Also like Shanahan, Sean McVay’s offense is built around play action, which requires running backs to establish themselves early to set up play fakes.

Because of this, it’ll be imperative for L.A. to get Henderson going early to make sure the next player on this list, quarterback Jared Goff, winds up hitting his stride.