The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2025 Football Preview book. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps as well as defensive previews from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2025 Football Preview.
While offenses dominate NFL discussion, the other side of the ball plays a large role
With the 2025 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the San Francisco 49ers and preview how it might perform this season.
2025 San Francisco 49ers Defense
The 49ers allowed a midpack 4.3 yards per carry to running backs in 2024, but their underlying numbers were worse. They finished 24th in negative runs forced to RBs and 29th in rushing touchdowns allowed to the position.
This unit struggled in 2024, and now both Maliek Collins and Javon Hargrave are on other teams.
Jordan Elliott is the primary returner and should handle one of the starting spots. Kevin Givens did get some pressure from inside last year on limited snaps, but he has never been more than a rotational player thus far in his career.
Given the situation, it was not a surprise to see the 49ers add Alfred Collins (second round) and CJ West (fourth round) to the defensive line mix in the draft.
The 49ers finished 22nd in pressure rate (32.9%) and logged 37 sacks (23rd) last season.
Not much needs to be written about Nick Bosa. Though his 9 sacks in 14 games is something of a step back, he ranked fourth among all qualifying pass rushers with a 17.2% pressure rate.
Behind him was the concern, especially with Leonard Floyd no longer on the roster, but the 49ers added Mykel Williams in the first round to pick up the slack.
Yetur Gross–Matos’ cap hit suggests he should be a strong contributor, and to be fair, his still underwhelming 10.6% pressure rate in 11 games last season was a career best. The 49ers also traded for Bryce Huff after he flatlined as a big free agent signing with the Eagles.
Dre Greenlaw did not play much in 2024 because of the Achilles injury he suffered in the Super Bowl, but his loss in free agency is still going to hurt.
Fred Warner is still atop the depth chart and remains one of the best linebackers in the league.
2023 sixth-round pick Dee Winters was second among the returning linebackers in snaps and showed well when given the opportunity. The 49ers also added to this group in the draft, selecting Nick Martin in the third round.
The 49ers only allowed 6.7 yards per attempt (4th) last season, but the advanced numbers suggest they were more middle of the pack on a per pass basis. If they are going to improve in 2025, it will have to be without Charvarius Ward and Isaac Yiadom.
Renardo Green and Deommodore Lenoir are back after leading the line last season, and it will be interesting to see if new DC Robert Saleh can get even more out of them in 2025.
San Francisco did add three corners this offseason including Tre Brown, who likely is the frontrunner for the No. 3 job right now, but he should be pushed by third-round rookie Upton Stout.
Malik Mustapha and Ji’Ayir Brown are the primary returning options at safety. A fourth-round pick last year, Mustapha had great per snap numbers as a rookie, but he suffered a knee injury in the season finale that could threaten his availability.
The 49ers added Jason Pinnock and Richie Grant in free agency as depth options.
This analysis continues in the 2025 Football Preview
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