Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports


Armstead and Buckner bookend defensive line during Monday’s practice

Aug 1, 2016 at 8:35 PM--


The San Francisco 49ers continue to experiment with the lineup as training camp, which has two days of practices in the books, progresses. While Arik Armstead, Mike Purcell, and Quinton Dial were the defensive line starters from left to right during practice on Sunday, it was DeForest Buckner, Dial, and Armstead during Monday's practice.

That's why the 49ers spent two first-round selections during two consecutive drafts on defensive ends, selecting Armstead in 2015 and Buckner this year. The goal is to improve a defensive pass rush that produced only 28 quarterback sacks last season, as opposed to the 53 that opposing defenses produced. Outside linebacker Aaron Lynch, who is the team's best pass rusher and tied for first on the team last season with Ahmad Brooks in sacks (6.5), is suspended for the first four games.

The 49ers would like to see Buckner and Armstead, two Oregon products who are actually best friends, bookend the defensive line for years to come. While the team has been careful bringing the two along this offseason, Buckner and Armstead have turned some heads during the offseason program and early part of training camp.

Buckner has the lofty goal of winning this season's Defensive Rookie of the Year award. He has been praised during the team's offseason program and many felt that the seventh overall pick in this year's draft would overshadow Armstead, who some considered to be a reach by the 49ers when selected 17th overall last year.

"[Buckner] seems like a lock to start until Glenn Dorsey returns," said Grant Cohn of the Press Democrat on Monday.

Advanced statistics site Pro Football Focus was in love with Buckner prior to his selection in April. "Buckner is the No. 2 player on the PFF Draft Board and the 49ers got a steal at No. 7 overall," said Steve Palazzolo of Pro Football Focus in regards to the selection.

As for Armstead, he has been praised so far in training camp and looks to prove his doubters wrong. Despite his limited playing time last season (384 snaps), Armstead graded 28th overall among interior defenders according to Pro Football Focus. In fact, he graded as the team's second best interior defender going into 2016, behind only Ian Williams, who is now out for the year.

"I think [our defensive line] could be very good," Armstead said Monday via Chris Biderman of Niners Wire. "We have a lot of guys on the D-line that I know can play in the NFL and play good. I'm sure they're going to keep mixing it up. Seeing what best group fits together. And that will be a long process figuring that out."

"Armstead had a particularly strong day, making two 'tackles' in the backfield on running plays," said Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee following Monday's practice. "Armstead broke through the left side of the offensive line and crashed – accidently – into running back Carlos Hyde, causing a fumble. A few plays later, the 6-7 defensive lineman again was in the backfield to thwart another running play."

"The 49ers do not tackle during practices, but Armstead had such momentum built up he could not avoid hitting Hyde," said Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area in regards to the collision with Hyde.

"The best player on the field today," said Grant Cohn of the Press Democrat on Monday in regards to Armstead.

"For the day, Armstead stood out more than any defensive player out there," said Biderman. "His burst off the line of scrimmage was far better than during training camp as a rookie. His use of leverage looked improved, and he was able to shed blockers with one arm."

Armstead has been itching to throw on pads and go against OT Joe Staley in practice. He will get his first chance this offseason on Tuesday when the team practices in pads for the first time. "He forces you to have good footwork and good anticipation," Armstead said of Staley via the Sacramento Bee.

Barrows also noticed that Armstead, who worked out in Hawaii with Buckner and Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett during the team's time off following June minicamp, looked in better physical shape this season.

While the loss of Williams certainly hurts the 49ers defense, the emergence of Armstead and Buckner could improve the team's pass rush for years to come.



LISTEN

Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News



Arik Armstead talks Steve Wilks, Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave, and 49ers' QB situation

By David Bonilla
May 30

Arik Armstead is looking forward to the upcoming season. There is a lot to look forward to. His San Francisco 49ers have been to the NFC Championship Game three times over the past four seasons. They once again have a competitive roster and look to make another run at a Super Bowl championship. Armstead joined Adam Schefter on the ESPN insider's podcast, discussing several 49ers-related topics. New defensive coordinator Steve Wilks Steve Wilks replaces DeMeco Ryans as defensive coordinator. Armstead had nothing but praise for his former coordinator, who left to be the Houston Texans' head coach, but looks forward to working with Wilks. Wilks isn't expected to make any drastic changes in his first season helming the 49ers defense.



Arik Armstead: 49ers can repeat as NFC West champs; Trey Lance has a bright future

By David Bonilla
May 25

San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Arik Armstead joined NFL Network's Good Morning Football on Thursday to discuss the state of the team at the start of organized team activities (OTAs). Armstead is part of a defensive line that includes NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa and added former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. The question that had to be asked: Does San Francisco own the best defensive line in football? "Well, on paper, I guess you could say that, but 'on paper' doesn't win any game," Armstead responded. "But we're excited about getting together and starting that journey of



Sam Darnold working with first-team offense during 49ers OTAs

By David Bonilla
May 31

A somewhat bigger-than-necessary deal was made last week when reporters saw San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance taking the first-team reps in the first practice of organized team activities (OTAs) open to reporters. After the practice, head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked what, if anything, could be concluded from that. "It'll even out," Shanahan assured reporters. "We'll make sure to get that right." The coach made a point to add, "And the first-team is kind of funny because there's no [offensive] line out there. Most of our receivers are second- and third-team on the first-team today, so I'm curious what everyone thinks first- and second- and third-team is." The 49ers also made Wednesday's practice open to reporters as the team



49ers insider offers analysis from glimpse of Trey Lance and Sam Darnold

By David Bonilla
May 25

It's premature to draw conclusions about a quarterback based on practices in May. That is especially true when you do so based on one practice. The San Francisco 49ers started organized team activities (OTAs) this week, and all eyes were on Trey Lance and Sam Darnold. The two players are battling for that QB2 job behind last season's rookie sensation, Brock Purdy. One could even start Week 1 if Purdy is not healthy enough to do so himself. Lance is coming off a season-ending ankle injury but looks completely healthy now. Darnold is trying to turn his career around after never living up to his high draft status. Matt Barrows of The Athletic was on hand for Tuesday's practice, the only one open to reporters so far, and one that Barrows describes as a


Featured

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone