To go with yesterday's evaluation of the offense, I am evaluating the roster on the defensive side of the ball today. As an overall metric, points allowed per game (ppg) is the one that matters most. Two years ago, the San Francisco 49ers allowed 17.5 ppg, ranking 3rd in the league. Last year, they allowed 25.6 ppg, ranking 29th.

RELATEDBreaking down the 49ers' roster ahead of the draft: Offense
Defensive line
2023: Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave, Arik Armstead, Clelin Ferrell, Drake Jackson, Javon Kinlaw
2024: Nick Bosa, Jordan Elliot, Maliek Collins, Leonard Floyd, Sam Okuayinonu, Kevin Givens
2025: Nick Bosa, Jordan Elliot, [undecided], [undecided], Yetur Gross-Matos, Sam Okuayinonu


This is the biggest turnover on the team. The greatest loss was Armstead, who was outstanding against the run. San Francisco went from allowing 86 yards per game in 2023 to 126 last year—a forty-yard difference!

Gross-Matos missed numerous games due to injury, but even if he were healthy, you would want him to be a role player on a dominant defensive line.

The 49ers will surely improve over last year's numbers. The players lost in free agency were not strong against the run. However, it might be difficult for them to get back to where they were two years ago, or do so in one offseason. As to the pass rush, they got to the quarterback 36 times last year, a slight improvement of a few sacks compared to the year before. General manager John Lynch will address that, and defending the run well will be a main criterion.

Linebackers
2023: Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Oren Burks, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Dee Winters
2024: Fred Warner, De'Vondre Campbell, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Dee Winters, Curtis Robinson
2025: Fred Warner, Dee Winters, [undecided], Luke Gifford, Jalen Graham

This unit is a shell of what it was two years ago. The biggest loss was Greenlaw—probably the most significant loss of any position on the team in the last two years, and the other reason the run defense disappeared. However, he had trouble staying on the field. Unless the 49ers draft a linebacker with one of their first two picks, they will not have anyone who can replace Greenlaw. That said, they should be able to get a linebacker who is better than Winters. Then, in 2026, the 49ers can look for the next upgrade.


Defensive backfield
2023: Talanoa Hufanga, Tashaun Gipson, Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Isaiah Oliver, Sam Womack
2024: Malik Mustapha, Ji'Ayir Brown, Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green, Isaac Yiadom
2025: Malik Mustapha, Ji'Ayir Brown, Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green, [undecided]

While the loss of Talonoa Hufanga is significant, the drafting of Malik Mustapha was meant to address that potential loss, and Mustapha played well. He is not yet as good as Huf was, but it was only his rookie year.

Two years ago, Lynch signed Isaiah Oliver to play nickel, and he was clearly not up for the task. Last year, it was Isaac Yiadom, but Lynch also drafted Green, who was far superior.

The biggest loss is at cornerback with Ward. That said, the loss is from the 2023 version, not last year's. Last year, even before the tragic loss of his daughter, Ward was not playing at his All-Pro 2023 level. Lenoir was clearly the best corner on the team, and Green was a noticeable upgrade at nickel. With a good pick, and not necessarily a top pick, the 49ers should be able to match last year's production when Ward was out, and if the pick develops, they might get back to the 2023 level in '26.

Overall, production is interesting to examine. The passing yards per game (ypg) allowed improved from 2023's 214 ypg to 2024's 193 ypg. However, the main reason was that the run defense dropped off a cliff.


The other noteworthy statistic is turnovers. The 2023 team produced 22 interceptions. Last year's group had 11.

The 49ers clearly need a corner to replace Ward, but it is not nearly as dire a need as defensive line and linebacker.

This draft is deep with defensive linemen. Lynch should take at least one in the first three rounds, maybe two depending on how the draft plays out. He needs to take an edge rusher early. Lynch should select his cornerback and linebacker in the middle rounds. He has had great success with those positions later in the draft.

If Lynch drafts well, San Francisco should exit the draft with new immediate starters at defensive tackle, defensive end/edge rusher, and nickel corner. If the team is lucky, it might upgrade at linebacker, too.

Written By:

Jack Stewart


Jack Stewart was educated at Alabama and Emory and was a Brittain Fellow at Georgia Tech. His poetry has been published widely in the US and several other countries. His book No Reason was published in the Poeima Poetry Series in 2020.
All articles by Jack Stewart


Follow us on: X, Facebook, Threads, Instagram

Read Original Article
Visit 49ers Webzone

More San Francisco 49ers News