Pro Football Focus continues its 32-team offseason rankings with the run defense being the latest entry in the series. The analytics site ranks the 49ers' unit at No. 28 while noting that the team needs a true nose tackle to improve.
"The 49ers run defense rank suffers here from the lack of a true nose tackle," writes Pro Football Focus. "Earl Mitchell's 5.0 run-stop percentage was the worst of any player in the NFL last season that had at least 300 snaps against the run."
Below are the top three 49ers when it comes to run-defense grades.
- Reuben Foster, LB, 90.9 run-defense grade
- DeForest Buckner, DT, 82.6
- Arik Armstead, DE, 79.7
The Pro Football Focus analysis team notes that the 49ers missed 11.4 percent of their tackles on run plays, which ranks at No. 16 in the NFL.
The 49ers run defense did see an improvement last year over the previous season. The unit allowed 165.9 rushing yards per game in 2016. That number improved to 116.3 in 2017, which ranked 22nd in the NFL.
Former NFL center turned NFL Network analyst Shaun O'Hara noted on Good Morning Football on Thursday that the team used three first-round selections on defensive lineman (Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner, Solomon Thomas) from 2015 through 2017 and used another on linebacker Reuben Foster. That is a substantial investment in the 49ers' defensive front.
"Yet, the 49ers defense ranked dead last against the run over the last two years," O'Hara said.
The 49ers' ranking by Pro Football Focus was the worst among NFC West teams with the Los Angeles Rams coming in at No. 21, the Arizona Cardinals at No. 23, and the Seattle Seahawks at No. 24.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Where 49ers OT Colton McKivitz landed in PFF's top 101 players of 2025
What a difference a season made for San Francisco 49ers right tackle Colton McKivitz. The veteran offensive lineman made his debut on Pro Football Focus' (PFF) list of the top 101 players of the 2025 NFL season, checking in at No. 63 — notably ahead of quarterback Brock... -
Where 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey landed in PFF's top 101 players of 2025
After injuries limited him to just four games in 2024, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey fell off Pro Football Focus' (PFF) Top 101 list. He ensured the absence was short-lived. McCaffrey rebounded in 2025 with a dominant, full 17-game campaign, totaling... -
Where 49ers TE George Kittle landed in PFF's top 101 players of 2025
Pro Football Focus (PFF) continues unveiling its top 101 players from the 2025 NFL season, revealing rankings from No. 21 through No. 101. The top 20 will be announced on Friday. Another San Francisco 49ers standout has officially made the list. Tight end George Kittle checked... -
Where 49ers QB Brock Purdy landed in PFF's top 101 players of 2025
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy appeared in just nine games during the 2025 NFL season, missing eight contests due to a turf toe injury suffered in Week 1. Still, the former final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft did more than enough to earn recognition from Pro Football...