San Francisco 49ers: Strong start to retooling pass rush
By re-signing Cassius Marsh and hiring Chris Kiffin, the San Francisco 49ers have made a strong start in their efforts to retool their pass rush.
Though their defense improved in 2017, there can be little doubt that the San Francisco 49ers still struggled in rushing the passer. The 49ers again found it difficult to get opposing quarterbacks on the ground in Robert Saleh’s first season as defensive coordinator, finishing the season with just 30 sacks.
And the 49ers have recognized that, in order for the defense to build on the strides it made under Saleh and become one of the better units in the NFL, the pass rush must improve. And they have taken steps to help ensure it does.
After bringing back Cassius Marsh, a mid-season free agent addition who had decent success rushing the passer, recording two sacks and forcing two fumbles, the 49ers have, per multiple reports, hired Chris Kiffin as a “pass rush specialist”. Kiffin served as Florida Atlantic’s defensive coordinator in 2017 as his brother Lane took over as the head coach of the Owls.
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Under Kiffin’s tutelage, the Owls defense improved from 123rd in scoring defense to 34th in the nation. Florida Atlantic also finished 24th in sacks with 38.
The hope will obviously be that Kiffin can have a similar influence on the 49ers’ pass rushers. But, while Marsh should prove to be a useful complementary pass rusher, San Francisco still needs further additions on the front seven for its defense to do a better job of generating pressure.
Despite another impressive season from DeForest Buckner and a wide array of talent on the defensive line, it was now 34-year old Elvis Dumervil who led the team in sacks with 6.5. Dumervil is still a worthwhile player to have on the team with his ability to make an impact as a rotational rusher and his veteran presence in the locker room.
But either through free agency, in which Ezekiel Ansah appears to be the top pass rusher available, or through drafting the likes of Bradley Chubb, Harold Landry or Marcus Davenport, the 49ers definitely need to add more talent at edge rusher.
Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Full two-round projection
The 49ers still have a long way to go in their efforts towards improving their pass rush, but signing Marsh and hiring Kiffin was a strong start.