The 49ers defense remains as one of the best units in the NFL after eight games. They lead the league in yards allowed per game, and they’re second in points allowed. The pass rush continues to get to the quarterback which gives the secondary plenty of chances to force turnovers.
A large portion of the 8-0 record can be attributed to their defensive dominance. Here are the grades for them at the halfway mark of the season:
Defensive line
The defensive line has been hands down the best position group on the 49ers, and perhaps the best in the league. Led by Nick Bosa’s 7.0 sacks, the pass rush is head and shoulders better than it was last season. The 2018 49ers finished the season with 37 sacks. They already have 30 sacks at the halfway point this season. Arik Armstead is in the middle of a career season with 5.5 sacks, which matches the sack total of Dee Ford. DeForest Buckner, who led the 49ers in sacks last season, has 4.0. Ronald Blair has 3.0, Solomon Thomas has 2.0, and DJ Jones has 1.0.
Grade: A+
Linebackers
Fred Warner and Kwon Alexander lead the 49ers in tackles with 48 and 34, respectively. Alexander started the season hot, collecting 18 of his 34 tackles in the first four weeks of the season. He had seven against the Rams, but the number dropped the following weeks. He had none against Arizona in 40 snaps prior to tearing his pec and ending his season. The attention now turns to Dre Greenlaw who will replace Alexander. Greenlaw has seen an increased number of snaps the past few weeks and that number will only go up from here. Warner and Alexander have had their ups and downs against the run, but their coverage skills have played a key role in the turnaround by the 49ers’ pass defense.
Grade: B
Secondary
After a down season last year (by Richard Sherman’s standards), it feels like the 49ers have finally gotten a Sherman that resembles what he was with the Seahawks. Sherman leads the secondary with three interceptions, and is rated as the top cornerback by Pro Football Focus in terms of passer rating when targeted.
Emmanuel Moseley has stepped in well for the injured Ahkello Witherspoon, intercepting a pass and breaking up two. K’waun Williams has been stellar in the slot with two interceptions as well. He’s also PFF’s leader in passer rating when targeted. Jaquiski Tartt and Jimmie Ward have also been excellent in coverage and against the run. The duo is finally healthy, and they’re both executing at a level that’s allowed the 49ers’ secondary to limit big plays and get off the field on third downs.
