The San Francisco 49ers struggled against the run in 2024, allowing 124.6 rushing yards per game, ranking 18th in the NFL. The unit surrendered 24 rushing touchdowns. Only the Dallas Cowboys allowed more (25). Opponents averaged 4.4 yards per carry against them, tying for 12th in the NFL.
Pro Football Focus gave the 49ers a 54.6 run-defense grade last season, ranking them 28th in the league. Only six players on the roster earned a run-defense grade above 70.0, and four are no longer with the team. Linebacker Fred Warner (82.1) and defensive end Nick Bosa (79.1) are the two remaining bright spots in that category.
As the 49ers prepare for the NFL Draft, run-stopping ability will likely be a key factor in their defensive additions. General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan may look to bolster the roster with prospects who can help address this glaring weakness.
At the NFL's annual meeting in Florida, Shanahan spoke to reporters about the team's struggles against the run and the urgency to improve in that area.
"A lot. I think it was for all of us," Shanahan said when asked how high fixing the run defense ranks on the priority list. "And our run defense [struggled], especially as the end of the year went, losing some of those D-linemen, it hurt us. Losing [DT Javon] Hargrave hurt us a lot more than people realize."
Hargrave suffered a partially torn triceps in Week 3 and never returned. He's also no longer on the roster, signing with the Minnesota Vikings after the 49ers released him.
Shanahan also pointed to linebacker Dre Greenlaw's absence as a significant blow to the run defense. Greenlaw, by the way, is now with the Denver Broncos.
"So that's something that we knew we were thin at going into the year," Shanahan admitted. "Then we had a couple of injuries that made it harder, to where we were kind of holding on, and that's why we feel we're somewhat starting over with [it]."
Despite the challenges, Shanahan remains confident in the team's core defenders.
"I mean, you have a guy like Nick, you have a guy like Fred, you still have some really good players in there, but we do have to hit on some of these draft picks," Shanahan said. "We've gotta add in some youth and we've gotta change it up a little bit."
The 49ers are banking on newly re-hired defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to turn things around. Saleh, who previously held the same position in San Francisco from 2017 to 2020, will be tasked with revamping a unit that underperformed last season.
However, Shanahan knows coaching alone won't fix the problem. The team needs the right players to execute Saleh's system, and with multiple defensive departures this offseason, the draft will be crucial.
"If you have good players and you have a good scheme, you should be good against the run, and that's where you try to make it," Shanahan explained. "When you lose players, or someone's getting after your scheme, how do you adjust it? And I think the experience that Robert's had, he's had to do that over the years.
"That's stuff we had to do last year, where we knew we were banged up. We had to do some different things, and when we did some different things, it was hit or miss. You get a few guys out of a gap, it works for a little bit, but you're being a little more risky than usual, and now they break a 60-yarder, and now your run stats are completely messed up.
"So that's stuff that Robert's gone through a bunch. He's done it in New York. He's done it here. And you always want to be able to add in and fix it with personnel. But when you can't fix it with personnel right away, you got to do it with scheme, and Robert's been successful doing that with both."
With the draft quickly approaching, rebuilding the 49ers' run defense must be a priority to ensure they don't face the same struggles in 2025.