On Tuesday, Jerod Brown of NFL1000 ranked the NFL's top inside linebackers of 2017 in a feature for Bleacher Report. The ranking is based on pass defense, run defense, pass rush, tackling, and position value. Two San Francisco 49ers linebackers are on the list.
The lowest ranked of the two players is Brock Coyle, who came in at the number 32 spot.
Brown, who serves as an inside linebackers scout for NFL1000, wrote the following about Coyle:
"Coyle is an above-average backup and spot-starter that has the tenacity and thick chest to compete as an interior defender. He'll struggle to work across linemen in space that take strong angles in zone schemes. Coyle is a smart and steady defender that should see a long career as a primary backup and core special-teamer."
While Coyle started 10 games for the 49ers in 2017, his first start didn't come until after the team released All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman. Linebacker Malcolm Smith, who was placed on injured reserve during his first offseason with the 49ers, will return and is likely to take Coyle's starting job unless the team acquires another linebacker.
There is a chance that Coyle doesn't even return to the 49ers in 2018. He is scheduled to become a free agent in March but probably won't be too expensive to re-sign and adds experienced depth at the position.
The highest ranked of the two 49ers players on Bleacher Report's list is Reuben Foster, who completed his rookie season in 2017. He was the consensus best inside linebacker in the draft and the 49ers traded back into the end of the first round to select the former Alabama defensive star.
While Foster's athletic ability was never in doubt, his health and maturity were contributing factors to him falling to the 31st overall selection in last year's draft. He missed six games in 2017 due to injuries and repeatedly left the field during games with minor injuries. And there is the issue of his arrest in Alabama earlier this month for second-degree possession of marijuana.
Foster finished the 2017 season with 72 combined tackles and a pass defensed through 10 game appearances. He also finished the season with the team's highest Pro Football Focus grade (90.7) and was named to the 2017 Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team.
Brown wrote the following about Foster:
"Reuben Foster has been an absolute steal for the 49ers new front office in Year 1 of a rebuild. Foster's instincts are apparent every play. He has a knack for finding the ball that highlights his head-hunting style. The rookie looks to be every bit as good as they hoped for when they selected him at the end of the first round of April's draft. Foster's quick trigger will likely become a target of defensive coordinators using play-action concepts, forcing the rookie to continue processing at a high level."
Doug Farrar, who is a lead scout for NFL1000, added the following:
"If Foster can stay healthy despite his wild playing style, he has a chance to be one of the better inside linebackers in the NFL for a long time. The first-round rookie out of Alabama missed six games with various ailments, but when he was able to get on the field, Foster showed elite traits. As much a read-and-react player as a downfield thumper, Foster has tremendous speed to and through gaps to get to the ballcarrier, and he covers a great deal of ground in a big hurry."
The only linebackers ranked ahead of Foster were Bobby Wagner of the Seattle Seahawks, Luke Kuechly of the Carolina Panthers, and C.J. Mosley of the Baltimore Ravens.