placeholder image

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports


Arik Armstead discusses his role on the 49ers defense, Nick Bosa, Jalen Ramsey to the Rams

Oct 17, 2019 at 9:28 AM--


Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
Arik Armstead is enjoying the best season of his pro career. At least, that's what Pro Football Focus is trying to tell us. The San Francisco 49ers' fifth-year defensive lineman has earned the highest overall grade (89.5) of his career. He ranks No. 12 on the analytics site among defensive linemen and first against the run (91.0 grade).

Armstead, who joined 95.7 The Game on Wednesday, is playing on the fifth-year option of his initial rookie contract, which means he could hit free agency next year. Of course, all he can control is the here and now, so that is what the defender remains focused on.

"The game slows down, you get better and better every year," Armstead told Damon Bruce, Ray Ratto, and Matt Kolsky. "You learn more every year. I just think my mindset has kind of shifted this year. It's great to play with great players. It definitely gives you peace of mind that you don't have to make every play out there. That all you have to do is do your role, and my role is to go out there and be dominant, and get after the passer on third down.

"My role is pretty simple, and I just try to execute it to the best of my ability."


What has helped players like Armstead, among others, is the offseason additions to improve the defense's lackluster pass rush. One of those additions has been rookie defensive end Nick Bosa, who has been the NFL's most productive pass rusher, again, per Pro Football Focus. Not the most productive rookie pass rusher — the most productive, period.

"For a rookie to come in with that immediate impact, that's not very common, Armstead said of Bosa. "So he definitely came into the league with a certain skill set that's been working for him. It's been great to play with him, and his knowledge of the game, especially coming from his family — and his father was a first-round pick, his brother is an All-Pro (and) Pro Bowl player, too. I know he's learned a lot from them, as well.

"Just to bring that into the league at a young age, and being able to hone in on that, and learn from that, and continue to get better from that, I think he's going to have a great career."

The big NFC West news of the week was the Jacksonville Jaguars sending star cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for several draft picks. The thoughts on the impact of the trade have been mixed. Many believe it helps the Rams in the short-term but may not make enough of an impact to help the team catch up to the division-leading and undefeated 49ers. The cost (both what was given up and the salary cap ramifications of a potential future deal) could also hurt the organization in the long-term.

What was Armstead's response to the Ramsey-to-Rams news? "Cool story."

"For me, personally, it doesn't mean too much," Armstead said. "Cool news to look at. It really doesn't have a big impact on my life, day to day, or what I have to do on the football field. He plays DB, and I play D-line.

"I mean, it's a cool story. He's a big-name player going to the Rams. They're in our division. He's a great player. I'm sure he'll help them a lot. But for me, personally, it really doesn't concern me."

You can listen to the entire conversation with Armstead below.




Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News


placeholder image

49ers mailbag: What are the latest free agency moves? Could Arik Armstead still return to SF? Who will be the second starting DT?

By Marc Adams
Mar 13

As we move into the new NFL year, the San Francisco 49ers have been making moves. There have been new additions to the team, and there have been departures. You can keep up with the latest 49ers roster changes here at 49ers Webzone. So far, the 49ers have added: DT Jordan Elliott (Browns, 2-yr, $10M) DE Leonard Floyd (Bills, 2-yr, $20M) LB Eric Kendricks (Chargers, 1-yr) DE Yetur Gross-Matos (Panthers, 2-yr, $18M) DT Maliek Collins (trade with Texans) I can't help but notice that all these players are on defense. Does this mean the 49ers will go heavy on offense during the draft? Perhaps. We'll see how the rest


placeholder image

49ers DT Arik Armstead drawing interest from Titans, others

By David Bonilla
Mar 13

Arik Armstead isn't a free agent yet, but he's expected to become one soon. The San Francisco 49ers plan to release their long-time defensive tackle after failing to negotiate a contract restructure with him. Armstead, drafted by the 49ers with the No. 17 overall pick in 2015, has spent his entire career with the team. He was slated to earn about $17.4 million in base salary in 2024 and count about $28.4 million against the salary cap. RELATED: 49ers officially release DT Arik Armstead According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Armstead is expected to have multiple suitors, including the Tennessee Titans. The Titans' general manager, Ran Carthon,


placeholder image

49ers officially release DT Arik Armstead

By David Bonilla
Mar 13

The San Francisco 49ers have made it official: the team announced the release of defensive tackle Arik Armstead with a June 1 designation. This means the $18 million salary-cap savings will hit the 49ers' books later. However, Armstead is free to sign with any team immediately. While San Francisco approached Armstead about taking a pay cut from his scheduled $17.41 million base salary, a deal could not be reached, leading to the release of the team's longest-tenured current player. The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that Armstead is drawing interest from multiple teams, including the Tennessee Titans, so the defensive tackle might find a new home


placeholder image

Jaguars signing former 49ers DT Arik Armstead to a 3-year, $51 million deal

By David Bonilla
Mar 14

Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz reports that the Jacksonville Jaguars are signing former San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Arik Armstead to a three-year, $51 million deal. Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke served in the same role with the 49ers when the team drafted Armstead in 2015. BREAKING: Free agent DL Arik Armstead is signing a 3-year, $51M contract with the #Jaguars, sources tell @BleacherReport.Armstead now joins a stout


Latest

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone