NFL Network analyst Bucky Brooks broke down what he feels are the ingredients of a championship-caliber defense. You need a premiere duo of pass rushers, a playmaking linebacker who can defend the run and pass while delivering punishing hits, and a standout within the secondary.
Do the San Francisco 49ers have enough of the ingredients in the recipe to be considered a championship-caliber unit? Well, it was enough to reach Super Bowl LIV, and the group lost only one key contributor in DeForest Buckner. Rookie Javon Kinlaw replaces the Pro Bowl defensive tackle.
A duo of pass rushers? Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead. Check.
A playmaking linebacker? Fred Warner. Check.
A standout defensive back? Richard Sherman. Check.
Brooks ranked the 49ers' defensive quartet second only to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who feature Bud Dupree, T.J. Watt, Devin Bush, and Minkah Fitzpatrick. The analyst notes that San Francisco's unit remains good enough to make another championship run.
Brooks wrote the following of the 49ers' four defensive stars in a larger feature for NFL.com:
"Bosa is an Energizer Bunny with a non-stop motor and an array of pass-rush moves that overwhelm and overpower blockers. Armstead is a disruptive force on the interior with the length and wiggle to win with power or finesse. He quietly amassed 10 sacks, displaying a dynamic game that made him a top-notch playmaker at his position. Warner is a heat-seeking missile on the second level with exceptional instincts and awareness. He is the new prototype at MLB: a traffic cop with run-stuffing capabilities and A+ cover skills. Sherman remains a Tier 1 cover corner with outstanding ball skills and instincts. He's lost a step or two, but his anticipation and awareness enable to him stay with elite pass catchers on the island."