© Robert Hanashiro | 2019 Oct 13
Ever since selecting Arik Armstead in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, the 49ers have been slowly building up their defensive line. Five years later, the group is officially a juggernaut, not only thanks to Armstead and DeForest Buckner on the inside, but because of the two Pro Bowl caliber pass rushers they acquired this offseason.
In fact, second overall pick Nick Bosa and free agent acquisition Dee Ford, haven’t just been excellent, they’ve been the two best pass rushers in the NFL so far this season, according to Pro Football Focus. Bosa, who has played just four career games, has been the best in the league by a significant margin.
The secret is out, the @49ers have a pair of deadly pass rushers.
Pass Rushing Productivity
1. Nick Bosa: 14.3
2. Dee Ford: 11.8
3. Clay Matthews: 11.5
3. Marcus Davenport: 11.5 pic.twitter.com/2JAvbVLls7— PFF SF 49ers (@PFF_49ers) October 15, 2019
According to PFF, the 49ers’ defensive linemen aren’t just one-dimensional specialists. Ford, Bosa, Armstead and Ronald Blair are all ranked in the top 11 among non-defensive tackles. Ford is ranked as the overall best edge defender in the league thus far.
The lofty rankings are reflected in the defense as a whole. The 49ers have the second ranked defense in both yards per game (237.4) and points allowed (12.8).
If defense does indeed win championships, this could be a 49ers team we remember for a long time.
