Pro Football & Sports Network analyst Jacob Infante believes the 49ers defense is in good hands, ranking Saleh as the NFL's sixth-best defensive coordinator.
RELATED
"Ranking Robert Saleh this high comes with an asterisk, given that he's returning to the defensive coordinator ranks after being fired as New York's head coach last year," Infante wrote. "That said, he remains a top defensive mind in the NFL."
San Francisco struggled to consistently stop the run and pressure opposing quarterbacks during the 2024 season. The defensive line underwent a major overhaul, with the team moving on from Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins, and Leonard Floyd, and replacing them with three draft picks—Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins, and CJ West.
Others, like fan favorites Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, and Charvarius Ward, also departed, leaving the 49ers to look to their latest draft class and offseason acquisitions to help fill those key roles.
Saleh has a track record of maximizing his players' potential, and the 49ers are hopeful the defense will show significant improvement in 2025.
"Saleh's Jets ranked inside the top five in Defense+ in both 2022 and 2023," Infante added. "Before then, his defenses with the San Francisco 49ers played a significant role in their development into an NFC superpower. Now back in his old role as their DC, expect an improvement from a 49ers defense that placed just 26th in Defense+ last year."
H/t to Grant Cohn of Sports Illustrated for the find.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Sports Illustrated lists 49ers wide receiver among rookie wideouts already turning heads
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling isn't just opening eyes in the Bay Area. After an impressive first week of training camp, people around the league are starting to take notice. Justin Melo of Sports Illustrated recently highlighted five rookie wide... -
49ers work out two more defensive players, including former Cardinals draft pick
The San Francisco 49ers are continuing to look for help at edge rusher. In addition to veteran edge rusher Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, who reportedly worked out for the team on Sunday, the 49ers also brought in outside linebackers Andre Carter and Xavier Thomas for workouts, according... -
49ers coach reveals why defensive versatility is a major training camp focus
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is learning a lot about his players during training camp, and part of that evaluation involves experimenting with their versatility. The 49ers selected linebacker Jaden Dugger in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and... -
49ers roster moves: Receiver, edge rusher added, two defensive linemen waived
The San Francisco 49ers have signed wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge and edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo to one-year deals. Both additions were previously reported by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. To make room on the roster, the team waived defensive lineman Kevin Givens and defensive lineman...