SF 49ers: Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw dominating new-look defensive line

The SF 49ers are already using Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw’s power to create wide-open rushing lanes

SF 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has already shown added pages to his playbook fans hadn’t seen before. As soon as Nick Bosa went down injured, Saleh has been scheming wide-open rushing lanes for blitzing second level players to go through.

Based on the film shown through the first four weeks, Saleh could have an even deeper treasure chest of blitzes.

San Francisco 49ers

Saleh again showed a new page to his playbook on a 3rd-and-8 play on the Eagles 27-yard line back in Week 4. The 49ers were showing the Eagles seven players lined up on the line of scrimmage, nine if you include the two defensive backs using press technique.

Javon Kinlaw was lined up directly over the center, known as 0i or 0-technique, with Arik Armstead over the tackle in a 6i or 6-technique.

Fred Warner was standing over the Eagles’ left guard, and the Niners rushed their four defensive linemen along with Warner and fellow linebacker Kwon Alexander. This meant it was six on six. Kinlaw and Armstead slanted heavily to their right and took three offensive linemen with them, the right and left guards along with the center.

This had to mean the SF 49ers have a free rusher, right?

Yes, and it was Warner, who started over the left guard, and he went over the top of Armstead and Kinlaw.

With the Eagles running back picking up Alexander, Warner had a free run at Wentz, due to the lane the combined power Armstead and Kinlaw created.

Wentz tried to throw the ball to his tight end, Zach Ertz, but the ball fell incomplete, thanks to Warner hitting Wentz.

Saleh has kept the standard high, even with the losses the defense has suffered, and the SF 49ers defensive line is still just as scary with Armstead living up to his contract and Kinlaw developing at a rate no one saw coming.