The 49ers defense hasn't changed much schematically since Robert Saleh left in 2021.
But the league has evolved, and so has Saleh, who's the 49ers defensive coordinator now for the second time, which means their defense could look much different this year than it did in 2024.
Let's focus on their defensive line. In 2019, the 49ers hired defensive line coach Kris Kocurek and installed his Wide 9 defense. They did this primarily to stop the Los Angeles Rams who were the team to beat at the time considering they had just gone to the Super Bowl.
Back then, the Rams primarily used three-wide receiver formations and were a much bigger threat to run outside the tackles than between them. So the 49ers wanted to set edges in the run game, which the Wide 9 allowed them to do.
Now, the Rams and most NFL offenses primarily use two tight end formations which can easily exploit a Wide 9 front. The extra tight ends make the gaps between the defensive linemen even larger than normal and the defense becomes extremely susceptible to runs up the middle.
There's no good reason to use a Wide 9 front against a team such as the Eagles, the Ravens or the Lions -- teams that are committed to running the ball out of heavy formations. And now, the 49ers don't have to.
Their first-round pick this year, Mykel Williams, played both defensive end and defensive tackle at the University of Georgia. He gives the 49ers the versatility to play a five-man front against the best rushing teams because he can move inside.
I'm confident that's a big reason the 49ers drafted him.
The 49ers defense hasn't changed much schematically since Robert Saleh left in 2021. But the league has evolved, and so has Saleh, who's the 49ers defensive coordinator now for the second time, which means their defense could look much different this year than ...
Green Bay Packers Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs said he stays in touch with former Las Vegas Raiders and Alabama Crimson Tide teammate Henry Ruggs III, and he revealed that Ruggs is still training and holding out hope of an NFL return. "I still talk to Henry. Henry ...
Denver Broncos Hall-of-Fame quarterback and former general manager John Elway was reportedly at the wheel of a golf cart when his former agent and business partner Jeff Sperbeck fell from the vehicle, suffering life-threatening injuries. TMZ broke the news, reporting that the ...
The 2025 NFL Draft was a bit of a rollercoaster for the New Orleans Saints. They addressed needs effectively, but they also surprised some fans in round two by picking Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough. Saints legend Archie Manning recently talked about Kellen Moore's decision ...
The Vikings accomplished an important piece of business on Tuesday when they signed outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel to a one-year contract extension that gives him a nice raise and keeps him in Minnesota through the 2026 season. Van Ginkel signed a ...