Have the 49ers Fixed Their Pass Rush?
The 49ers invest way too much into their defensive line to have a subpar pass rush.
But that's what they've had the past two seasons. They ranked 20th in sack percentage in 2023 and 16th in sack percentage in 2022 after ranking third in sack percentage in 2021. Which means the fall off started two years ago.
That's why the 49ers signed Javon Hargrave last year -- they thought he would supercharge their pass rush, but he didn't. He was ordinary, and collectively the pass remained subpar.
So this offseason, the 49ers made major changes. They released Arik Armstead, who had just five sacks in the past two seasons, and they replaced him with Maliek Collins, who has 8.5 sacks in the past two seasons. Upgrade.
In addition, the 49ers did not re-sign Chase Young, who has just 16.5 sacks in his career. Instead, they signed Leonard Floyd, who has 19.5 sacks in the past two seasons. Big upgrade.
On paper, the 49ers absolutely have improved their pass rush from last season. Armstead is a good run defender when healthy, but he's not a pass rusher. At best, he pushes the pocket and creates pressure, but he rarely finishes plays with sacks. And Young simply doesn't play hard -- he had just 2.5 sacks in 9 games with the 49ers, who reportedly did not offer him a contract. That's how much they don't like him.
Now, the 49ers will have four good pass rushers on the field at the same time in Floyd, Collins, Hargrave and Nick Bosa.
Mission accomplished.
